At his first annual interfaith breakfast on Friday, New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani declared that the city he leads is a “sanctuary city” for foreigners. He referenced the Bible, the Quran and the Bhagavad Gita to defend the city’s immigration policies.
Before about 400 religious and community leaders at the New York Public Library, Mamdani accused federal immigration officials of spreading "terror among our neighbors" and causing "brutality that shocks the conscience."
He has spoken about himself, revealing that he was raised by a Muslim father and an Indian mother.
Mamdani quoted passages from the Torah, Deuteronomy, and the Bhagavad Gita, urging citizens to feel responsible for the suffering of others as if it were their own.
"Exodus 23:9 says, 'You shall not oppress a stranger, for you know his heart, for you were strangers in the land of Egypt,'" the 34-year-old said, praising New York Jews who stand "side by side with the persecuted."
He also mentioned Buddhist teachings about the removal of desire, hatred and ignorance to achieve freedom from suffering.
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Speaking about Islam, Mamdani described it as a religion "built on the history of migration," recalling that the Prophet Muhammad himself was a foreigner who fled persecution to find refuge in Medina.
He quoted a verse from Surah An-Nahl and the words of the Prophet, "Islam began as something foreign and will again become foreign, so blessed are those foreigners."
"If faith gives us the moral compass to stand by foreigners, the government can provide the necessary resources," he added.
During the event, Mamdani signed Executive Order 13, which strengthens New York's status as a sanctuary city and prohibits federal agents from entering city property without a court order.
He also announced the new "Know Your Rights" campaign, under which 32 leaflets and booklets in 10 languages will be distributed to immigrants through religious leaders.
Mamdani also honored activists Renee Good and Alex Pretti, who lost their lives last month during clashes with immigration agents (ICE) and Border Patrol in Minneapolis. /Telegraph/
