New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani sparked widespread outrage by suggesting that Americans should draw immigration lessons from the Prophet Muhammad, framing mass migration as a religious imperative during his first annual interfaith breakfast on February 7, 2026.
Conservatives across the nation decried the remarks as an inappropriate blending of faith and policy, accusing Mamdani of using Islamic teachings to justify sanctuary city policies that undermine national security and reward illegal immigration.
Speaking at the multi-faith event, Mamdani referenced the Hijrah—the Prophet Muhammad’s migration from Mecca to Medina—as a foundational narrative for Islam, portraying it as a model for welcoming strangers and supporting those fleeing persecution.
He quoted Surah An-Nahl 16:42 from the Quran: “As for those who emigrated in the cause of Allah after being persecuted, we will surely bless them with a good home in this world,” tying it directly to modern immigration debates.
Mamdani went further, citing a hadith from the Prophet Muhammad: “Islam began as something strange and will go back to being strange, so glad tidings to the strangers,” to emphasize compassion for migrants.
The mayor described Islam as “a religion built upon a narrative of migration,” arguing that government must provide resources to protect immigrants from what he called “abusive” federal enforcement.
This rhetoric comes amid heightened national tensions over border security, with President Trump’s administration cracking down on illegal crossings and sanctuary jurisdictions that harbor criminals.
Conservative commentators blasted Mamdani for injecting religious doctrine into secular policy, warning that such views erode America’s Judeo-Christian foundations and promote unchecked influxes from high-risk regions.
Fox News hosts labeled the speech a “dangerous endorsement of open borders,” pointing out the irony of a mayor in a city plagued by migrant-related crime urging more leniency.
The Daily Wire ran headlines decrying it as “elitist virtue-signaling,” noting that Mamdani’s affluent background shields him from the real-world impacts of his policies on working-class New Yorkers.
Breitbart highlighted the backlash on social media, where users accused Mamdani of cultural relativism that ignores the unique challenges of modern terrorism and economic strain from mass migration.
Mamdani’s address also included references to other faiths, quoting the Torah on “loving the stranger” and the Bhagavad Gita on responding to others’ sorrows, but conservatives argue this was mere window dressing for his pro-Islam focus.
Announcing Executive Order 13, Mamdani reaffirmed NYC’s sanctuary status, vowing to shield immigrants from ICE actions and launching a “Know Your Rights” campaign to counter federal overreach.
This move directly defies the Trump administration’s efforts to enforce immigration laws, potentially setting up legal battles over funding and cooperation.
Patriotic Americans see this as defiance against the will of voters who elected Trump in 2024 to secure borders and prioritize citizens.
Mamdani’s rise to mayor, as a democratic socialist and vocal critic of U.S. foreign policy, has long drawn conservative ire for his anti-Israel stances and progressive agendas.
His invocation of the Prophet Muhammad’s flight from persecution resonates with left-wing narratives equating modern migrants to historical refugees, but ignores distinctions like legal processes and national sovereignty.
Conservatives point out that while compassion is admirable, America’s immigration system must protect its own people first, not serve as a global welfare state.
Social media erupted with clips of the speech, shared by accounts like Vigilant Fox, amplifying the controversy and fueling calls for congressional intervention against sanctuary cities.
One viral post mocked: “Next, Mamdani will suggest Sharia law for traffic tickets,” highlighting fears of creeping cultural shifts.
The speech underscores a broader divide: while liberals celebrate interfaith dialogue as inclusive, conservatives view it as a Trojan horse for radical policies.
Mamdani’s comments echo past progressive attempts to moralize immigration, often dismissing economic burdens on taxpayers and strains on public services.
In NYC, where migrant shelters overflow and crime rates have spiked, residents question how more “strangers” will be accommodated without federal aid.
Trump administration officials, including DHS Secretary Kristi Noem, condemned the remarks as “irresponsible,” vowing to withhold funds from non-compliant cities.
This incident revives debates over the role of religion in public discourse, with conservatives arguing that America’s founders intended a separation to prevent such impositions.
Mamdani’s defenders claim the speech was about shared moral values, not policy dictation, but critics see it as selective quoting to advance an agenda.
As the 2026 midterms approach, this could galvanize conservative voters against sanctuary strongholds like NYC.
