Outrage in Astoria: Assemblyman Zohran Mamdani Demands NYPD Apology for Alleged Ramadan Overpolicing

A firestorm of controversy has erupted in Astoria, Queens, as New York State Assemblyman Zohran Mamdani, alongside an impassioned coalition of Muslim community leaders and advocacy groups, has leveled serious accusations of discriminatory overpolicing against the NYPD. The core of their grievance centers on alleged harassment and intimidation tactics employed by police officers targeting Muslim worshippers during sacred Ramadan prayers.

Mamdani's powerful stance underscores a deep-seated frustration within the community, demanding not just an explanation, but a formal apology and systemic change from the city's police force.

Assemblyman Mamdani vividly recounted harrowing instances where congregants, observing one of the holiest times in the Islamic calendar, were reportedly subjected to unwarranted scrutiny.

According to his claims, NYPD officers not only questioned the right of individuals to pray but also allegedly issued tickets and engaged in outright harassment, particularly during the crucial hours of communal worship. These alleged actions, he argues, created an atmosphere of fear and distrust, undermining the sanctity of religious observance and violating the fundamental rights of the Muslim community in Astoria.

Adding a sharper edge to the accusations, Mamdani highlighted the deployment of the NYPD's .