“Islam is a faith constructed on migration”: NYC Mayor Mamdani invokes Prophet Muhammad’s hijrah whereas talking on immigration – The Occasions of India – Worldwide Dispatch

NYC Mayor Mamdani references Islam’s Hijrah, citing Prophet Muhammad’s migration whereas addressing immigration and sanctuary insurance policies

New York Metropolis Mayor Zohran Mamdani has drawn consideration after invoking Islamic historical past whereas talking about migration, utilizing a spiritual reference to border a broader argument for compassion and refuge in US immigration coverage.The remarks have been delivered throughout an interfaith breakfast on Friday, the place Mamdani spoke about how religion traditions affect views on migration and hospitality. Referring to Islam, he described it as “a faith constructed upon a story of migration” and pointed to the Hijrah, the Prophet Muhammad’s journey from Mecca to Medina, as a defining second in Islamic historical past.“The story of the Hijrah reminds us that Prophet Muhammad was a stranger too,” Mamdani mentioned. “He fled Mecca and was welcomed in Medina.”Mamdani framed the historic reference as a lesson in how societies reply to individuals escaping hardship, suggesting it provides perspective for contemporary debates on immigration. He linked the instance to New York Metropolis’s identification as a metropolis formed by migration and reiterated its sanctuary standing, arguing that defending immigrants displays deeply rooted ethical values. Through the tackle, he additionally drew on teachings from different religion traditions, together with Christianity and Buddhism, to underline what he described as shared rules of compassion and take care of weak communities.The feedback prompted combined reactions. Supporters praised the remarks as an attraction to empathy grounded in religion and interfaith solidarity, saying they mirror New York Metropolis’s long-standing method to welcoming migrants. Critics, nonetheless, questioned the appropriateness of invoking non secular figures in discussions about US immigration coverage, arguing that such debates ought to stay separate from non secular narratives.The response to the mayor’s speech highlights ongoing tensions in nationwide discussions over immigration, the position of religion in public discourse, and the way elected leaders use ethical and historic references when addressing contentious coverage points.