In a striking turn of events, a respected Bangladeshi businessman and imam from Queens has publicly turned his back on socialist NYC mayoral candidate Zohran Mamdani, citing deep concerns over policies that clash with traditional values. Fahad Solaiman, a community pillar, is now throwing his weight behind former Gov. Andrew Cuomo in the race for mayor.
According to the New York Post, this unfolding drama centers on Solaiman, general secretary of the Jackson Heights Bangladeshi Business Association, withdrawing his earlier support for Mamdani due to the candidate’s push to decriminalize prostitution, a stance Solaiman fiercely opposes as contrary to Islamic teachings and community safety.
Solaiman, who resides near Roosevelt Avenue, an area notorious for sex work activity, has long supported Mamdani for his views on Palestine. But as the mayoral race heated up, Solaiman grew disillusioned with what he sees as hypocrisy in Mamdani’s shifting rhetoric across different communities. It’s a classic case of values over politics, and Solaiman isn’t mincing words about his disappointment.
“Come over here in the evening, after 8 o’clock, after the sun sets, you will see that you cannot walk Roosevelt Avenue [without seeing] many prostitutes,” Solaiman declared. His frustration is palpable, painting a picture of a neighborhood struggling under the weight of unchecked vice. For a family man and faith leader, this isn’t just policy—it’s personal.
Mamdani, a Queens Assemblyman and practicing Muslim, has consistently backed legislation since 2021 to decriminalize sex work between consenting adults, including reinstating a policy from former Mayor Bill de Blasio’s era that avoids arresting or prosecuting sex workers. While Mamdani argues this is about justice, Solaiman and others see it as a dangerous step toward normalizing exploitation.
Solaiman equates decriminalization with enabling human trafficking, a concern that resonates deeply within his conservative community. It’s not hard to see why this issue strikes a nerve—when policy feels like it’s eroding the moral fabric of a neighborhood, trust in leaders like Mamdani quickly frays.
During a recent Friday service at Darul Hidaya Mosque in Jackson Heights, Solaiman took to the podium to voice his concerns and urge his congregation to reject Mamdani. He didn’t stop there—Solaiman proudly endorsed Cuomo, who is running as an independent, as the candidate to restore order and shared values.
Cuomo himself addressed the crowd at the mosque alongside Solaiman, seizing on the prostitution issue to bolster his flagging campaign. Trailing Mamdani by at least 20 points in recent polls and unable to break past 30% support since losing the Democratic primary, Cuomo is clearly hoping this cultural wedge issue can turn the tide.
Other mosque leaders, including Imam Qazi Qayyoon, echoed Solaiman’s call to support Cuomo, emphasizing unity over division. The mosque, a spiritual and social hub for many in Jackson Heights, has become a battleground for competing visions of NYC’s future. It’s a stark reminder that elections aren’t just about policy—they’re about identity.
Imam Qayyoon’s endorsement carried weight, as he publicly stated his pride in backing Cuomo for mayor. The former governor’s firm stance against decriminalizing prostitution has struck a chord with mosque members who see it as aligning with their moral compass. For a community feeling sidelined by progressive agendas, Cuomo’s message offers a lifeline.
Mamdani, for his part, has been less clear about his position on the decriminalization bill in recent months, despite annually supporting related legislation. This vagueness only fuels Solaiman’s critique that Mamdani lacks a consistent moral grounding, especially when Islamic teachings explicitly prohibit prostitution.
Solaiman’s shift from supporter to critic of Mamdani underscores a broader tension between traditional values and modern policy experiments. When a leader like Mamdani champions causes that clash with deeply held beliefs, even past alliances crumble. It’s a cautionary tale for candidates banking on cultural goodwill without delivering on core concerns.
Cuomo’s campaign, while struggling in the polls, has found a receptive audience in Jackson Heights by focusing on anti-prostitution policies. For many in the Bangladeshi community, this isn’t just about law enforcement—it’s about protecting the soul of their streets. Cuomo may be down, but he’s not out, especially with endorsements like Solaiman’s.
As this mayoral race unfolds, the rift between Solaiman and Mamdani highlights a critical divide in how New Yorkers view public safety versus personal liberty. The debate over decriminalizing sex work isn’t just academic; it’s playing out on sidewalks like Roosevelt Avenue, where families and faith leaders feel the stakes every day. For now, Solaiman and his community have made their choice clear—values over vague promises.
