At a recent grassroots campaign event, Zohran Mamdani handed out bandanas—simple cloths printed with icons like a hot dog, a pigeon, a MetroCard, and other symbols of New York City culture. But little did he know that this small gesture would ignite something far uglier. When Mamdani, a Muslim candidate running for New York Mayor, offered these bandanas, he wasn’t just promoting civic pride—he was met with a wave of Islamophobic backlash. This moment laid bare the deeper truth: that even the most innocent acts by Muslim Americans in public life are too often met with suspicion, hate, and double standards. In fact, one former candidate for New York City Council falsely claimed these bandanas were not actually bandanas at all, but hijabs, and a symbol towards heads of Islamic states. What happened to Mamdani was not an isolated misunderstanding. Rather, it reflects a broader, deep-rooted pattern in American discourse. The outrage over a piece of cloth handed out by a Muslim politician mirrors the hysteria that fuels far more dangerous accusations on national platforms.

Conservative commentator Charlie Kirk, for example, amplified this narrative on his show by asserting that the United States “went from ‘Never Forget’ to letting the people who cheered 9/11 into Congress.” Although he did not name individuals, this statement functions as a dog whistle—a coded message intended to associate Muslim American lawmakers, such as Ilhan Omar, with terrorism, despite their clear condemnation of such acts and dedication to public service. These remarks are not merely political jabs; they contribute to a widespread Islamophobic narrative that portrays Muslims as inherently dangerous, foreign, or disloyal. This pattern is evident in comments and policies like Donald Trump’s Muslim Ban, Lauren Boebert’s ‘Jihad Squad’ insult, and Marjorie Taylor Greene’s demand that Muslim members of Congress must swear by the Bible. 

Public figures and elected officials repeatedly exploit anti-Muslim sentiment to stoke fear, score political points, or silence dissent. The consequences extend far beyond rhetoric. This climate fosters suspicion and hostility towards Muslim Americans—most of whom are peaceful, hardworking, and deeply invested in their communities. The effects are tangible and alarming: This has led to a rise in hate crimes, discrimination in educational and professional settings, and mental health struggles within Muslim communities. According to the FBI’s Hate Crime Statistics Report, anti-Muslim hate crimes have consistently comprised a significant portion of religiously motivated offenses. In 2022, for example, the FBI recorded 187 anti-Muslim hate crime incidents in the United States—making it the third most targeted religious group after Jews and Catholics. Although these numbers represent only reported cases, experts believe many incidents go unreported, underscoring the urgent need for greater awareness, prevention, and action against Islamophobia.

Zohran Mamdani’s landslide victory was more than just a win for one candidate. It represented a triumph for inclusive and progressive leadership—leadership that embraces people of all races, religions, creeds, and sexualities. In a political landscape too often defined by division and fear, Mamdani distinguishes himself by championing policies that uplift marginalized communities and prioritize justice, equity, and opportunity for all.

His success sends a powerful message: Muslim Americans—and, by extension, all minority communities—are integral to the fabric of this country and capable of leading with compassion and vision. Mamdani’s work on housing justice, education, and public health reflects the concerns of everyday New Yorkers and demonstrates that effective governance transcends identity politics by focusing on shared humanity.

Yet, despite such successes, many Muslims continue to face discrimination and suspicion in their daily lives. This Islamophobia is often subtle, persistent, and rarely captured in headlines whether it’s a hijabi woman facing assault on public transit , a Muslim student enduring bullying in school , or a professional encountering workplace bias.  These experiences have profound consequences on individuals’ sense of safety, belonging, and mental health.

Mamdani’s presence in office challenges false narratives that paint Muslims as outsiders. Instead, he exemplifies how Muslim Americans contribute meaningfully to society through integrity and dedication. By standing firmly against Islamophobia and advocating for inclusive policies, Mamdani is not only serving his constituents but also confronting a broader culture of fear and exclusion. His leadership demonstrates that progress is achievable when society rejects prejudice and embraces diverse identities as strengths rather than weaknesses. However, combating Islamophobia is not solely the responsibility of Muslim leaders. It requires active allyship from all members of society—working together to dismantle systemic biases and foster genuine inclusion.

As we celebrate the rise of Zohran Mamdani and his recent victory in the Democratic Primary, we are reminded that the true threat to our democracy is not the presence of Muslim leaders or Muslim Americans but the Islamophobia that seeks to divide and marginalize. If we recognize and address this threat, it will be essential for building a society in which everyone, regardless of faith or background, can thrive and belong.

This article was edited by Jack Wimberley.