Hoax – An extremist Muslim religious leader allegedly gave a speech claiming New York for Islam soon after the election of Mayor Zohran Mamdani.
Analysis
Politics and religion, when mixed in a cauldron of disinformation, often generate rumors with strong emotional appeal. A narrative of this nature began to circulate intensely on social media, gaining traction especially in groups that follow North American politics and its international developments. The context is the recent victory of Zohran Mamdani for the New York City Prefecture.
The rumor in question is accompanied by a video, which shows a man in a fervent speech about Islam. The accompanying messages suggest that this would be an “extremist Muslim” who, soon after Mamdani’s election, would have “shocked the world” by “claiming New York for Islam” and declaring that the religion must “enter every home.” Below is the text that went viral on the internet:
NEW YORK ON ALERT: EXTREMIST MUSLIM SHOCKS THE WORLD WITH AGGRESSIVE RELIGIOUS SPEECH THEY WANT TO INVADE ALL AMERICAN HOMES After the victory of a socialist Muslim for the New York City Council, a public speech by a Muslim religious leader generated strong international repercussions. He stated that Islam must “enter every home,” which raised alerts about possible threats to religious freedom and civil security. Authorities and analysts are already monitoring the escalating tension in the city.
Fact Check
This allegation raises concerns about the end of religious freedom and a possible increase in tension and civil insecurity in the metropolis. To verify the veracity of this alarming story, which is based on the alleged connection between a speech and a recent political event, we sought to answer the following: 1) Following Zohran Mamdani’s victory, did an extremist Muslim claim New York for Islam? 2) What is the context of the video attributed to an extremist Muslim claiming New York for Islam? 3) Is New York threatened by the “end of religious freedom”?
Following Zohran Mamdani’s victory, did an extremist Muslim claim New York for Islam?
The allegation that an “extremist Muslim” claimed the city for Islam after Mamdani’s election, while attention-grabbing, is unfounded. The video used in the hoax predates Mamdani’s recent victory for the City Council in November 2025. The speech, in fact, was not delivered in celebration or as a response to the electoral result, but in a totally different context, as will be detailed in the next question. Therefore, the causal link established by the rumor is factually incorrect, being a manipulation of the timing of events.
What is the context of the video attributed to an extremist Muslim claiming New York for Islam?
The video in question is not recent. It was originally published on TikTok in March 2023, and the man who appears in the images is a digital influencer known as “Way of Life SQ” who often gives speeches about Islam in public places in New York. The recording, which shows the man with a microphone, was made during Taraweeh prayers in Times Square. The alarming quote (“Islam must ‘enter every home’”) is, in reality, a speech with a proselytizing connotation, with a style that seeks to encourage the practice and dissemination of the faith, comparable to the “be fruitful and multiply” seen in other religions. It is not a threat of invasion or political takeover.
Is New York threatened by the “end of religious freedom”?
Allegations that religious freedom is threatened or that extremist Muslims are planning to “take over” New York are not supported by facts or official statements. New York City is known for its religious and cultural diversity, and the performance of prayers like Taraweeh in public spaces, such as Times Square, is a manifestation of the religious freedom guaranteed in the United States. The hoax uses a religious speech from 2023, removing it from its original context (a public prayer event) to create a narrative of threat and extremism that is unsustainable.
Conclusion
The rumor claiming that extremist Muslims are claiming New York for Islam after Zohran Mamdani’s election is fake news. The story uses a real and highly impactful fact (Mamdani’s election, the city’s first Muslim City Council member in 2025) and falsely associates it with a video from March 2023. The religious speech, delivered during a public prayer, is proselytizing in nature and not a threat of extremism or political takeover.
Fake news ❌
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