Zahran Mamdani holds back tears in an emotional speech defending Islamic identity, and attacking Cuomo’s “baseless racist” attacks.

Surrounded by religious leaders outside a Bronx mosque, Mamdani He spoke in emotional terms about the “insults” the city’s long-standing Muslim residents have faced, and held back tears as he described his aunt’s decision not to ride the subway after the Sept. 11 attacks because she didn’t feel safe being seen wearing a religious head covering.

He recounted how when he first entered politics, his uncle kindly suggested that he keep his faith to himself.

“These are the lessons that many Muslims in New York have learned,” Mamdani said. “Over the past few days, these lessons have become the closing messages of Andrew Cuomo, Curtis Sliwa, and Eric Adams.”

In a press conference later Friday, Cuomo accused Mamdani of “playing the victim” for political purposes and denied the existence of widespread Islamophobia in New York.

Throughout the race, Mamdani was a democratic socialist Criticized by Cuomo and others Because of his criticism of the Israeli government, which he accused of committing genocide against the Palestinians in Gaza.

But the tone of those attacks has escalated in recent days, sparking allegations from some Democrats that Cuomo’s campaign is leaning toward Islamophobia in the final stretch of the campaign.

In an appearance on a conservative radio station on Thursday, Cuomo appeared to laugh at host Sid Rosenberg’s suggestion that Mamdani would “cheer” on another September 11 attack. “That’s another problem,” Cuomo responded.

One of Cuomo’s social media accounts posted, then removed, a video showing Mamdani eating rice with his hands and calling his supporters criminals. A campaign spokesman said the video was posted in error.

At an event to endorse the former governor, Mayor Eric Adams noted the possibility of terrorist attacks in New York City, appearing to suggest — without explanation — that they would be more likely under a Mamdani administration.

“New York cannot be Europe. I don’t know what’s wrong with people,” Adams said, standing next to Cuomo. “You see what is happening in other countries because of Islamic extremism.”

In a debate earlier this week, Saliwa, the Republican candidate, falsely denigrated Mamdani as a supporter of “global jihad.”

Asked about Rosenberg’s comments, Cuomo said he “did not take the statements seriously at the time.”

He added, “Of course I think it is an offensive comment. But it did not come out of my mouth.”

Messages left with the Adams campaign and their prayers were not immediately returned.

In his speech on Friday, Mamdani said that he was not targeting political opponents with his comments, but rather fellow Muslim New Yorkers.

“Every Muslim’s dream is simply to be treated the same way as any other New Yorker,” he said. “Yet for too long we have been told to ask for less, to be content with what little we get.”

“No more,” he said.

To that end, Mamdani said he would embrace his Muslim identity more, a decision he said he deliberately avoided at the beginning of his campaign.

“I thought if I behaved well enough, or bitten enough in the face of baseless racist attacks, all while returning to my core message, that would allow me to be more than just my faith,” Mamdani said. “I was wrong. There is never enough redirection.”

He continued: “I will not change my identity, or the way I eat, or the faith that I am proud to call my faith. But there is one thing I will change. I will no longer search for myself in the shadows. I will find myself in the light.”

Mamdani, who won the primary in stunning fashion, has faced skepticism from some in the Democratic establishment, especially about his victory. cash From Israel. On Friday, Mamdani received the endorsement of House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries.

Cuomo told reporters that Mamdani’s criticism of Israel had made Jews afraid to leave their homes.

He also rejected Mamdani’s claim that Muslim New Yorkers feel uncomfortable in their city.

“Don’t tell me New Yorkers are Islamophobes. They’re not,” Cuomo said.

“What he is doing is the oldest and dirtiest political trick in the book: dividing people,” Cuomo said.