NYC Council Candidate Zahran Mamdani Targeted with Racist Death Threats
Muslim-American politician receives violent voicemail threats amid rising Islamophobia; NYPD opens hate crimes investigation.
Watan-Zahran Mamdani, a member of the New York State Assembly and a candidate for New York City mayor, received a racist voicemail laced with slurs and threats to blow up his car. The attack, described as Islamophobic and violent, has prompted the NYPD to launch a hate crimes investigation, according to the New York Post.
The newspaper reported that an unidentified caller left two voicemails filled with explicit language and racially motivated threats, referring to Mamdani as a “terrorist” and hurling profanities at him.In the message sent Wednesday (local time), the caller said:”You’re a filthy terrorist. You’re not welcome in New York or in America. Nor is your damn family, so get out. F** them.”*
The caller added:”Start your car and see what happens. Watch your home and your family. Watch your back every damn second until you leave America. Nobody wants your terrorist ways here. And check your pager too, you damn terrorist.”
This final remark appeared to reference Israel’s use of pagers during operations against Hezbollah in Lebanon.
According to police, Mamdani’s office in Queens has received four anti-Muslim voicemails since March, with the latest message reported on Wednesday. A staff member flagged the threat, believed to be from the same caller who left a similar message on June 11.
Amar mayor! Tomar mayor! 🇧🇩
From Parkchester to Jackson Heights, Bangladeshi New Yorkers have been showing up for this campaign from day one — and I’m proud to have their support. pic.twitter.com/H6LZFJD1iq
— Zohran Kwame Mamdani (@ZohranKMamdani) June 19, 2025
A spokesperson for Mamdani’s campaign commented:”Although Zahran doesn’t own a car, the violent and direct language from this repeat caller is deeply concerning, and we’re taking every possible precaution.”
They added:”While it’s a sad reality, it’s not surprising after millions of dollars have been spent on inhumane, Islamophobic rhetoric meant to stoke hate and division. There is no place for violence or racism in our political life.”
Mamdani, a Ugandan-born Muslim American, is in a competitive Democratic primary race against former governor Andrew Cuomo.
In a previous message on June 11, the caller reportedly told Mamdani:”Go back to Uganda before someone puts a bullet in your head and wipes out your family… You don’t fit our Western values. Stop spreading your anti-Jewish rhetoric and leave America.”
New York City, this city will not change unless we change it. Our future will not be any different until we make a different choice.
We deserve a chance. We deserve a new day. Let’s elect @zohrankmamdani mayor of this city. Fill out your whole ballot and rank Zohran number one. pic.twitter.com/UI3blh6ggX
— Team AOC (@TeamAOC) June 18, 2025
The NYPD confirmed the calls came from an untraceable number and stated, “The investigation remains ongoing by the Hate Crimes Task Force, and no arrests have been made yet.”
