In a recent lecture at the Islamic Association of Raleigh, Islamic scholar Hisham Sarsour shared his views on the contentious landscape of the upcoming New York City mayoral race, focusing particularly on candidate Zohran Mamdani. Sarsour raised questions about the implications of Mamdani’s bold statements, including his promise to arrest Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu if he sets foot in New York. He pondered if such a stance would have been considered acceptable prior to the recent conflict escalation in Gaza that began on October 7.
Sarsour addressed claims circulating in the media suggesting that a Mamdani victory could trigger an exodus of Jewish residents from New York and a withdrawal of Israeli business interests from the city. He remarked that Israel’s primary exports to New York include diamonds and items he claimed are “stolen from Africa,” asserting that Israel has a dubious reputation as a hub for illegal activities.
He highlighted the role of misinformation in shaping narratives about Muslims and Christians in conflict areas like Nigeria, where he asserted that false claims of Muslim violence against Christians are being disseminated to distract from what he termed the ongoing genocide in Gaza. Citing former President Trump’s threats of military intervention in Nigeria, Sarsour implied that these claims aligned with a broader agenda to shift global focus away from the situation in Gaza.
Sarsour’s remarks were direct, questioning the plausibility of Mamdani’s position as a Muslim candidate openly criticizing the actions of the Israeli government. He expressed concern over the media portrayal of Mamdani’s election as potentially leading to a significant demographic shift in New York City.
These comments underscore the evolving dynamics of political discourse in the context of the Israel-Palestine conflict and the increasing visibility of Muslim voices in American politics. Sarsour’s lecture reflects broader societal tensions and the challenges candidates face in addressing sensitive issues in a polarized environment.