“As a New Yorker, I am a Muslim” — Cuomo 2017
New York City mayoral candidate Andrew Cuomo, a Democrat running under the independent party line Fight and Deliver, has emphasized his decades-long record of supporting the Muslim community, highlighting both his past actions and his plans for the city if elected. Speaking at a 2017 press conference about President Donald Trump’s travel ban on seven Muslim-majority countries, Cuomo underscored the city’s diversity, with the opening statement, “As a New Yorker, I am a Muslim…we are one community,” reflecting his commitment to protecting religious and immigrant communities.
Cuomo’s advocacy for Muslims in New York dates back to 2010, when, as state attorney general — while campaigning to become Governor — he defended the right of a Muslim organization to build an Islamic center near the World Trade Center site. He emphasized that government investigations must have legitimate causes, warning against targeting a religion for political reasons.
In 2016, Cuomo’s administration launched a citywide hotline to assist victims of Islamophobic hate crimes and bias incidents, providing families and individuals legal guidance and support. The following year, following the Trump administration’s executive order restricting entry for residents of several Muslim-majority nations, Cuomo’s office and the Port Authority set up a dedicated hotline and offered free legal representation for affected travelers. Officials reported that, as of late January 2017, six people had been detained at New York airports under the ban, prompting Cuomo to stress the importance of safeguarding their legal rights.
In 2019, following an incident in which a Muslim woman was attacked for wearing a hijab, Cuomo enacted the Religious Garb Law, making it illegal for employers to discriminate against employees wearing religious attire.
As part of his 2025 mayoral platform, Cuomo has pledged to continue supporting Muslim New Yorkers and broader immigrant communities. His proposals include backing the creation of the city’s first Arabic Language Charter School, hiring 5,000 additional police officers—including 1,500 dedicated to subway safety—strengthening enforcement of rent-stabilization laws, and prioritizing funding for African-owned businesses and community organizations, including mosques.
Cuomo’s campaign contrasts his plans with those of opponent Zohran Mamdani, whose positions on issues such as legalized prostitution and other controversial reforms have drawn criticism from Christian, Jewish, and Muslim religious leaders, along with multiple advocacy groups. Supporters highlight Cuomo’s consistent record defending civil rights and religious freedoms as evidence of his commitment to protecting New York City’s diverse communities.
Throughout his career, Cuomo has repeatedly positioned himself as a defender of religious liberty, immigrant rights, and civic protections, using his platform to ensure legal safeguards for Muslims and other minority communities across the city.
