New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani responded sharply after facing a wave of criticism and hostile comments following his decision to host an “iftar dinner” at City Hall, pushing back against remarks from a U.S. senator who referred to him as “the enemy inside.”

Mamdani, who earlier this year became the first Muslim mayor of New York City, organized the iftar gathering as part of the Muslim month of Ramadan. The evening meal, which marks the daily breaking of the fast at sunset, brought together community members and local leaders at City Hall for what the mayor described as a celebration of the city’s diversity.

The event quickly became the subject of controversy online and in political circles after critics attacked the mayor for hosting the Ramadan gathering in a government building. The backlash intensified when Alabama Senator Tommy Tuberville posted on social media, “The enemy is inside the gates,” a remark widely understood as referring to Mamdani.

The mayor responded publicly to the criticism, arguing that political leaders should direct their outrage toward more pressing problems rather than a communal meal during Ramadan.

“Let there be as much outrage from politicians in Washington when kids go hungry as there is when I break bread with New Yorkers,” Mamdani wrote.

Some critics objected to the symbolism of the event or mocked images of the mayor sitting on the floor while eating with guests, while supporters defended the gathering as a normal expression of religious and cultural tradition in a city known for its diversity.

The controversy surrounding the iftar comes amid a series of political disputes involving Mamdani since he assumed office. His tenure has already drawn national attention due to his progressive agenda and his outspoken positions on international and domestic issues.

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{Matzav.com}