Zohran Mamdani Sparks Controversy After Calling Hijab a Symbol of Faith and Pride

New York: These days Zohran Mamdani is embroiled in controversy regarding a social media post. His office shared a message on the occasion of World Hijab Day, calling the hijab a symbol of faith, identity and pride, but within no time the post became a cause for debate. Especially when protests against forced hijab laws continue in Iran.

What was written in the post?

The Mayor's Office of Immigrant Affairs wrote that Muslim women and girls around the world who wear hijab honor their faith and heritage, and that is what is being celebrated today. The intention was to show support, but many people found the message incomplete and insensitive.

Critics said that the post did not even mention the reality of women who are being arrested, beaten or losing their lives for not wearing hijab in Iran.

Then why did the controversy arise?

Iranian-American journalist Masih Alinejad gave the strongest reaction. Addressing the mayor directly, she wrote that it pains her to celebrate 'World Hijab Day' while sitting in a city like New York, while in her country women are facing jail and bullets for opposing the same hijab. He described it as “standing with the jailers” rather than with the victims.

French writer and activist Bernard-Henri Levy also questioned the timing and message of the post. He said that when thousands of women are being harassed just for refusing to wear hijab, then celebrating it is beyond comprehension.

Was it limited to social media only?

Many other people also expressed their displeasure on social media. One user wrote that pride cannot be hidden, and described hijab as a symbol that limits women's freedom. Some clearly said that the city administration should not glorify any religious symbol in public.

Turkish-American economist and political scientist Timur Kuran also called it a wrong step. According to him, hijab itself is a controversial symbol even within Muslim society. Many women in countries like Turkey, Saudi Arabia and Iran associate it with oppression. In such a situation, promoting any one religious dress at the government level can marginalize others and will look like religious bias.

Does this match the mayor's earlier statements?

Interestingly, this controversy appears to be contrary to the mayor's earlier statements. Earlier he himself spoke openly on discrimination against the Muslim community. He said that after 9/11, his aunt had stopped traveling by subway wearing hijab because she felt unsafe. He was also advised to keep his identity private when he entered politics.

That is, on one hand, an effort to support Muslim identity, on the other hand, sensitivity to the global situation. This conflict has made this post a bigger political issue than a simple message.