NEW YORK (1010 WINS) -- Queens Assemblymember Zohran Mamdani’s office is working with the NYPD after the mayoral candidate was bombarded with anti-Muslim voicemails, including an anonymous caller who made a bomb threat.
Police said Mamdani received four voicemails Wednesday that included both threatening and anti-Muslim language. Among them was a threat to bomb Mamdani's car.
In a statement, Mamdani's team said that while he does not own a car, “the violent and specific language of what appears to be a repeat caller is alarming and we are taking every precaution.”
"While this is a sad reality, it is not surprising after millions of dollars have been spent on dehumanizing, Islamophobic rhetoric designed to stoke division and hate," his office said. "Violence and racism should have no place in our politics. Zohran remains focused on delivering a safe and affordable New York."
The NYPD’s Hate Crime Task Force is working with Mamdani's office to investigate the calls.
Mamdani, 33, opened up about the threats during a press event Wednesday, saying he believes Islamophobia is fueling the frequent threats against him.
The candidate said “the very sad burden of what it means to be the first Muslim candidate to run for mayor is to deal with dehumanizing language.”
“I get messages that say, ‘the only good Muslim is a dead Muslim,’” Mamdani said. “I get threats on my life, on the people that I love. And I try not to talk about it.”
“When I speak, especially when I speak with emotion, I am then characterized by those same rivals as being a monster,” he said. “I continue to face a language as if I am a beast, and it takes a toll.”
No arrests have been reported in connection with the threatening voicemails.
With Primary Day this upcoming Tuesday, polls show Mamdani making significant ground in the mayoral race against Democratic frontrunner, former Gov. Andrew Cuomo.