Mamdani Under Fire After Fabricated 9/11 Hijab Story Unravels

Zohran Mamdani, a Marxist New York City mayoral candidate and outspoken ally of Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, is facing mounting criticism after being caught fabricating a story about a family member’s experience with Islamophobia following the September 11 attacks. The controversy has raised fresh concerns about Mamdani’s honesty and political tactics just months ahead of the city’s primary election.

The self-described “democratic socialist” had delivered an emotional speech last Friday outside the Islamic Cultural Center in the Bronx, where he recounted what he described as a deeply personal family trauma. Choking up as cameras rolled, Mamdani claimed that his “aunt” was so fearful of post-9/11 harassment that she refused to take the subway ever again.

“I want to speak to the memory of my aunt, who stopped taking the subway after September 11th because she did not feel safe in her hijab,” Mamdani said, his voice breaking.

His remarks drew applause from supporters and sympathetic coverage from several progressive media outlets. But within days, investigative journalists and online researchers discovered glaring inconsistencies in the story — revealing that the supposed “aunt” likely never existed in the way Mamdani described.

Records quickly confirmed that Mamdani’s only living aunt, Masuma Mamdani, was living in Tanzania at the time of the September 11 attacks, not in the United States. Furthermore, photographs and biographical information show that she does not wear a hijab and never has.

When confronted by reporters with the evidence on Monday, Mamdani abruptly changed his story, saying that the woman he had mentioned was not actually his aunt but rather a “distant cousin.”

“I was speaking about my aunt — I was speaking about Zehra Fuhi, my father’s cousin, who sadly passed away a few years ago,” Mamdani said in a hastily arranged press conference. “Fuhi means paternal aunt in Urdu and Hindi.”

The clarification raised even more questions. Reporters noted that the name “Zehra Fuhi” had never been mentioned in any prior public record or family reference, and there are no documents or credible accounts placing such a person in the United States in 2001. The New York Post described Mamdani’s response as “conveniently vague,” pointing out that “Fuhi” is not a recognized surname and may have been used as a linguistic cover to sidestep the original lie.

Despite the growing backlash, Mamdani struck a defiant tone, accusing his critics — including former New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo — of using Islamophobia to attack his campaign.

“For the takeaway from my more than 10-minute address about Islamophobia to be the question of my aunt tells you everything about Andrew Cuomo and his inability to reckon with a crisis of his own,” Mamdani said, attempting to shift focus from the inconsistencies in his story.

His counterattack, however, failed to quiet the storm. Across social media, users accused Mamdani of exploiting the memory of 9/11 and the suffering of Muslim Americans for political gain. Many said the controversy revealed a pattern of emotional manipulation common among far-left politicians who frame themselves as victims to attract sympathy and deflect scrutiny.

Several major news outlets also faced embarrassment after initially reporting Mamdani’s story without verifying any of the details. The New York Times described his remarks as “heartfelt and raw,” accusing Republicans of “seizing” on his comments — language critics said once again exposed media bias in favor of progressive candidates.

Adding to the controversy, questions resurfaced about Mamdani’s past associations with an imam once referenced in FBI documents related to early 9/11 investigations. While Mamdani has denied any direct connection, campaign photos and public schedules show he has appeared at multiple events with the cleric in recent years.

Political strategists say the scandal could leave a lasting stain on Mamdani’s campaign, particularly among moderate Democrats and independents who are wary of ideological extremism.

“He’s built his campaign on empathy and authenticity, but now he’s been caught manufacturing both,” one longtime New York Democratic operative said. “That’s the kind of story that voters remember — it cuts right to credibility.”

Even some within his own party have expressed discomfort with the way Mamdani handled the situation, suggesting that his evasive responses may have done more damage than the original fabrication.

Still, Mamdani appears determined to ride out the controversy. His campaign released a brief statement Tuesday evening insisting he remains focused on “equity, justice, and the fight against systemic oppression.” Yet behind the scenes, advisers acknowledge that the candidate’s credibility has taken a serious hit.

Whether the scandal ultimately derails his campaign remains to be seen. But as the story continues to evolve, one thing is clear: what began as a tale meant to evoke empathy has instead become a case study in political self-destruction.