Sadiq Khan Urges New Yorkers to Reject ‘The Politics of Fear’ and Vote for Zohran Mamdani

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Sadiq Khan wants New Yorkers to “see through the politics of hatred and fear” and back the Democratic nominee for Mayor of New York, while rejecting those seeking to “weaponise” his Muslim faith against him.

A source close to the London Mayor told Byline Times that Khan wants New Yorkers to reject the “divisive and desperate” tactics of Mamdani’s political opponents and embrace Mamdani’s “positive vision” for the city.

Highlighting the “uncanny” similarities between the failed attempts by the UK Conservatives to target Khan’s religion during his first bid for London mayor and the current campaigns being run being run against Mamdani, the source said the London Mayor hoped New Yorkers would “see through” such tactics.

“The similarities between the attacks Mamdani has faced and what Sadiq has faced in elections, particularly in 2016 are uncanny.

“Weaponising Mamdani’s faith and linking him to terrorism and extremism is an old campaigning tactic, and one we’re all too familiar with here in London.”

Khan’s first campaign for London mayor was met by repeated attempts by the then Conservative candidate Zac Goldsmith and his supporters to smear Khan as a “radical” associated with Islamic extremists, with then Cabinet minister Michael Gove even suggesting that Khan would implement Sharia law if elected Mayor.

An article written by Goldsmith for the Mail on Sunday on the eve of the election was accompanied by a large photo of a blown-up London bus, with a headline suggesting that a vote for Khan would put the city into the hands of a party that “thinks terrorists are its friends”.

Mamdani’s opponents have also sought to smear him as being supportive of terrorists. His main rival Andrew Cuomo suggested last month that his main rival would “be cheering” if the 9/11 attacks happened again.

Responding to the comments Mamdani described them as “disgusting.”

“This is Andrew Cuomo’s final moments in public life and he’s choosing to spend them making racist attacks on the person who would be the first Muslim to lead this city,” he said.

The source close to Khan accused Mamdani’s opponents of a “desperate” attempt to use his faith to prevent him from winning Tuesday’s election.

“The closer we get to the election, and the more his positive vision has connected with voters in New York City, the more divisive and desperate Mamdani’s opponents have become.

“The Mayor hopes that like in London, New Yorkers see through the politics of hatred and fear, and embrace Mamdani’s hopeful and optimistic vision for the future.”