The Latest Attacks in the New York Mayoral Race, and How Islamophobia and Antisemitism Reinforce Each Other

The Islamophobic campaign against NYC Democratic mayoral candidate, now mayor-elect, Zohran Mamdani only intensified ahead of election day— including a recent AI-generated ad filled with dehumanizing stereotypes portraying Muslims and Black New Yorkers as criminals and predators. The culmination of months of targeted rhetoric and digital disinformation aimed at undermining Mamdani’s credibility, his faith, and his right to belong in American public life is a symptom of something larger: the use of religion as a political wedge and fear as a means of control.

According to an analysis from Center for the Study of Online Hate (CSOH), more than 6,600 posts across social media platforms referenced Mamdani during his campaign from June 23th to June 27th. Nearly 40 percent contained explicitly Islamophobic content, while 15 percent combined Islamophobic and antisemitic tropes, portraying Muslims and Jews as joint threats to “Western civilization.” The surge peaked within 48 hours of the AI-generated attack ad’s release, confirming that digital misinformation can rapidly inflame religious hostility and distort democratic discourse.

This convergence of Islamophobia and antisemitism is intentional because both rely on the same narrative of exclusion. The campaign against Mamdani is just a glimpse of a growing trend in digital hate, nationalism, and disinformation, and reveals how they reinforce one another to marginalize minority communities. As a Muslim woman, the attacks on Zohran Mamdani are reminders of how easily hate can manifest against those in my community navigating the intersections of faith, identity, and public life.

Faith communities across New York responded swiftly to the campaign against Mamdani. Muslim, Jewish, Christian, and Sikh leaders organized community gatherings, and stood publicly alongside him at rallies that drew thousands of New Yorkers. Their unity was a reflection of a broader rejection of the rhetoric of fear that has defined much of this mayoral race. In a powerful video reminiscent of former President Barack Obama’s speech about his identity as a black American, Mamdani reminded supporters that to be Muslim in New York is to expect indignity, but that he refuses to accept it as normal. 

This interfaith response shows the power of solidarity in transforming fear and bigotry into strength. If fear can be manufactured, so can understanding. 

Last month, Interfaith Alliance announced a new affiliate partnership with the Interfaith Center of New York (ICNY), marking an important step in Interfaith Alliance’s collaboration in one of the most religiously diverse cities in the country. It could not come at a more critical time. As New York becomes a flash point of Islamophobia and antisemitism, connecting local and national networks of faith leaders is necessary to push back against hate and build understanding. 

The views and beliefs expressed in this post and all Interfaith Alliance blogs are those held by the author of each respective piece. To learn more about the organizational views, policies and positions of Interfaith Alliance on any issues, please contact info@interfaithalliance.org.