The Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR) and CAIR-Action strongly condemn ADL CEO Jonathan Greenblatt’s “dishonest and Islamophobic attacks” against New York General Assembly member Zohran Mamdani—attacks that misstate basic facts and subject Mamdani to an obvious double standard because he is a Muslim.
In a recent interview on CNBC, Greenblatt repeatedly falsely claimed that Mamdani had not visited “a single synagogue.” In fact, Mamdani has attended Shabbat services in Park Slope (February); joined a town hall co-hosted with UJA-Federation and the Jewish Community Relations Council (May); and participated in two forums at Congregation B’nai Jeshurun (June) (forward.com).
Greenblatt also falsely claimed that Mamdani “believes” in the phrase “globalize the intifada” even though he has never used the phrase and now discourages others from using it.
Basim Elkarra, CAIR-Action Executive Director, said:
“Greenblatt’s attacks are not only misleading—they risk stoking division at a time when New Yorkers need unity. To erase that truth is not just wrong; it’s reckless. We stand firmly against this type of political distortion. Subjecting Muslim elected officials to such bigotry is dishonest, dangerous, and diverts attention from substantive policy issues. We urge all public figures to condemn Jonathan Greenblatt and others who attempt to inflame bigotry against American Muslims engaged in politics.”
Edward Ahmed Mitchell, CAIR National Deputy Executive Director, stated:
“Jonathan Greenblatt’s dishonest and bigoted attacks on Assemblymember Mamdani represent the latest sign that the ADL director is an increasingly unhinged anti-Muslim bigot masquerading as a civil rights leader. Mr. Greenblatt will bend over backwards to give real antisemites a pass so long as they support Israel’s genocide while he goes out of the way to lie about and smear Muslim public officials if they dare to oppose Israel’s genocide. Mr. Greenblatt’s top priority is protecting the Israeli government from criticism and no one should take his claim about American Muslim leaders seriously.”
CAIR and CAIR-Action remain committed to:
- Truthfulness in public discourse.
- Respectful interfaith engagement, rather than mischaracterization and division.
- Upholding democratic norms, ensuring candidates are judged on record, not rhetoric.
Disclaimer: As a 501(c)3, CAIR does not support or oppose any candidate for office.
CAIR’s mission is to protect civil rights, enhance understanding of Islam, promote justice, and empower American Muslims.
La misión de CAIR es proteger las libertades civiles, mejorar la comprensión del Islam, promover la justicia, y empoderar a los musulmanes en los Estados Unidos.
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CONTACT: CAIR National Deputy Director Edward Ahmed Mitchell, 404-285-9530, e-Mitchell@cair.com; CAIR Government Affairs Director Robert McCaw, 202-742-6448, rmccaw@cair.com; CAIR National Communications Director Ibrahim Hooper, 202-744-7726, ihooper@cair.com; CAIR National Communications Manager Ismail Allison, 202-770-6280, iallison@cair.com; CAIR Action Executive Director Basim Elkarra, belkarra@cairaction.org; CAIR Action Communications, media@cairaction.org