Mamdani forced to clarify relative invoked in viral Islamophobia anecdote as questions swirl
In a recent controversy surrounding his mayoral campaign, New York City socialist candidate Zohran Mamdani clarified an anecdote he shared about his “aunt” who reportedly ceased using the subway due to fear of Islamophobia post-9/11. During a speech on October 24, Mamdani spoke emotionally about his late relative, Zehra fuhi, referring to her as his paternal aunt in Hindi and Urdu. He recounted how she felt unsafe wearing her hijab in the subway after the September 11 attacks, framing this personal story within the broader context of rising Islamophobia. However, this narrative faced scrutiny online, with critics questioning the accuracy of his claims, especially since his only living biological aunt, Dr. Masuma Mamdani, had lived in Tanzania during the time in question and did not wear a hijab in available photos.
The backlash escalated to the political arena, with Vice President JD Vance mocking Mamdani’s story in a post on X, suggesting it trivialized the experiences of 9/11 victims. The controversy not only highlighted Mamdani’s personal narrative but also brought attention to his father’s contentious history. Mahmood Mamdani, a professor at Columbia University, has made provocative statements in the past, including claims that Hitler drew inspiration from Abraham Lincoln. This familial connection has fueled further criticism of Zohran Mamdani, particularly regarding his anti-Israel positions and statements that critics argue are rooted in a broader anti-Israel agenda. In response to the backlash, Mamdani has framed the criticisms he faces as manifestations of anti-Muslim bigotry, asserting that the Muslim community deserves equal treatment and respect as New Yorkers.
As Mamdani continues his campaign, the intersection of personal narrative, family history, and political ideology remains at the forefront of public discourse. His experiences and the ensuing controversy reflect the complexities of identity and representation in contemporary politics, particularly in a diverse city like New York. With his campaign gaining traction amidst these discussions, Mamdani’s narrative will likely play a pivotal role in shaping his political identity and the perceptions of voters as the election approaches.
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New York City socialist mayoral candidate
Zohran Mamdani
offered up a clarification on Monday about an anecdote that sparked controversy on social media related to an anecdote he told about his “aunt” not using the subway in New York City due to post-9/11 Islamophobia.
“I was speaking about Zehra fuhi, my father’s cousin, who passed away a few years ago,” Mamdani told reporters on Monday, using the term “fuhi” which the New York Post reported means paternal aunt in Hindi and Urdu, after social media users had raised questions about the veracity of his story.
“I want to speak to the memory of my aunt who stopped taking the subway after September 11th because she did not feel safe in her hijab,” Mamdani, fighting back tears,
told a crowd
on Oct. 24 while outlining his concerns about Islamophobia and suggesting that criticisms of his anti-Israel positions are rooted in a disdain toward his Muslim faith.
Shortly after that clip hit the internet, a wave of criticism hit from conservatives and internet sleuths who poked holes in the story and suggested Mamdani had embellished it, pointing to his one direct biological aunt, Dr. Masuma Mamdani, listing on her LinkedIn that she worked and presumably lived in Tanzania from January 2000 to December 2003. Additionally, publicly available photos of Masuma Mamdani don’t show her wearing a hijab.
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The controversy reached the White House in the form of a
post on X
from Vice President JD Vance who expressed skepticism about the story.
“According to Zohran the real victim of 9/11 was his auntie who got some (allegedly) bad looks,” the vice president wrote.
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Mamdani’s father Mahmood, who Zohran Mamdani says is the cousin of the deceased aunt, has faced criticism during the campaign for his past controversial statements as a professor at Columbia University, including a claim that Hitler was
inspired by Abraham Lincoln
, which resurfaced on social media in recent days.
Mahmood Mamdani also sits on the advisory council of an anti-Israel organization that supports boycotts and sanctions of Israel, and routinely accuses the Israeli government of committing “genocide”, Fox News Digital
reported this summer.
“Suicide bombing needs to be understood as a feature of modern political violence rather than stigmatized as a mark of barbarism,” the elder Mamdani wrote in his 2004 book Good Muslim, Bad Muslim: America, the Cold War, and the Roots of Terror.
“We need to recognize the suicide bomber, first and foremost, as a category of soldier.”
Zohran Mamdani has pushed back in recent days against critics of his various anti-Israel policies and statements dating back to his time in college and suggested that those criticisms are rooted in anti-Muslim bigotry.
“The dream of every Muslim is simply to be treated the same as any other New Yorker,” Mamdani
posted on X
on Friday with a video that was viewed at least 24 million times. “And yet, for too long, we have been told to ask for less than that, and endure hatred and bigotry in the shadows. No more.”
Eric
Eric is a seasoned journalist covering US Politics news.
