NYC mayor-elect Mamdani vows to fight Islamophobia and racism against Palestinians

New York City mayor-elect Zohran Mamdani has pledged to make the fight against Islamophobia and anti-Palestinian racism a priority when he takes office next week. Mamdani issued the statement following a targeted harassment campaign against Mustapha Kharbouch, a Palestinian student at Brown University. The incoming mayor revealed on social media that Kharbouch was subjected to death threats after conspiracy theorists falsely linked him to a deadly shooting. The targeting was triggered by a circulated photo of Kharbouch wearing a keffiyeh. "As Mayor… I will make it my job to cherish, protect, and celebrate all New Yorkers and combat Islamophobia and anti-Palestinian racism at every corner," Mamdani said in a statement.