( Below is my speech delivered on September 30th, at Islamic Center of Rockland)

Off course nothing happens without the blessing of God, but God’s help is conditional. First, you must give your sincere best (Qur’an 13:11 — Surah Ar-Ra‘d)..  Mamdani victory was no accident. He and his supporters worked hard for it.  A Muslim candidate to overcome the opposition of NYC king makers like many Jews, black leaders, Democratic establishment, and billionaires is a herculean task. To fully understand it, we must analyze the environment which Mamdani faced and which forced him to take courageous and unwavering stands on Gaza genocide, Israel’s war crimes and economic issue like affordability (Qur’an 4:75 — An-Nisā’). Public at large, despite having historical reservations, admired what they saw in his resolute and sincere character and voted for him.

 That environment started with Biden Administration’s active role as an accomplice in Gaza genocide, destruction, and Israel’s war crimes. Many our fellow citizens, especially young, progressives, and Muslims took risks and protested against Gaza genocide. Many students were arrested and expelled, lost employment, blacklisted, and rough handled by police. Biden Administration dismissed protesters as irrelevant and arrogantly thought they have nowhere else to go but to vote for Democrats. This took most egregious and heart-breaking turn when at Democratic Convention for Kamala Harris they allowed a hostage family to speak but denied a Surgeon to speak about the appalling conditions in Gaza Hospital. That was the turning point when many young, progressives, and Muslims lost any hope of justice and were outraged.  They decided to either stay home or reluctantly vote for Trump in 2024. Trump won. Kamala Harris lost in most of college towns. Even though it was painful outcome, but it gave the sense of empowerment to young, Muslims, and progressives.

This was the background environment in which Mamdani decided to run for Mayor of NYC.  Thousands of young, progressives, and Muslims, who were angry and stabbed in the back by Democratic establishment, became foot soldiers of Mamdani to knock every door for votes. By this time majority of public at large was also outraged at the Gaza genocide, destruction, and war crimes committed by Israel. Similar scenario played out in Michigan where El-Sayed won with similar coalition despite formidable opposition by many Jews, black leaders, AIPAC, and Democratic establishment. Mamdani and El-Sayed were not afraid to criticize Israel and its lobby, an unthinkable act if you want to win an election. Their courage emboldened many fellow citizens to step up and not be afraid to criticize Israel for Gaza genocide and war crimes. Recently Thomas Friedman and Bret Stephen of NYT, and US Ambassador Huckabee have called extremist settlers in West-Bank as Jewish terrorists. An unimaginable turnaround.

One might think that black voters will be natural allies, but in Primaries many of them did not vote for Mamdani or El-Sayed. One of their grievances is that Muslims participation is very little in their civil rights movement compared to much larger role played by Jewish organizations both in funding and participation. Which is true. The reason Jews have more than their share of representation at every level of government, legislature, media, and other institutes is that they have worked hard for it by participating and funding in community causes and building universities, hospitals, museums, art centers, and other civic centers and activities. All are Haqooq-Ul-Abad.

As I stated in the beginning, God’s blessing and help is conditional on one’s sincere and uncorrupted efforts first. This command is not exclusive for Muslims (Qur’an 13:11 — Surah Ar-Ra‘d ). Just prayers are not enough. Unfortunately, that is where most of Muslim world is stuck. Almost 90 % of the time is spent on prayers, rituals, religious preaching, posting, forwarding, or Haqooq-ul-Allah (duties owed to God) but only 10% on sincere hard work and Haqooq-al-Abad (rights of Humanity). it should be opposite, because God may forgive our transgressions or negligence in Haqooq-ul-Allah, but may not in Haqooq-ul Abad.

In current internet and social media age, lack of knowledge of Quran and Hadith is not the problem, but lack of will to act and set priorities right.

This is our country. We and our future generations are here to stay. We must do everything in our power for the betterment of our country, USA, and our own betterment. We must get out and participate and contribute to political system and community causes such as civil rights, human rights, civil liberties, anti-discrimination, civic institutes, and become members of such organizations. Especially black and Hispanic organizations to build coalitions and bridges.

My suggestion is that we organize 12 groups of volunteers (even two persons in one group is fine), and each group will be assigned one month of year to participate in community organizations meetings or marches (such as interfaith, NAACP, civil rights), which take place in that month. One month a year for a group is not bad.

Referenced Quranic Verses;

 Qur’an 13:11 — Surah Ar-Ra‘d

إِنَّ اللَّهَ لَا يُغَيِّرُ مَا بِقَوْمٍ حَتَّىٰ يُغَيِّرُوا مَا بِأَنفُسِهِمْ

English: Indeed, Allah does not change the condition of a people until they change what is within themselves.”.  It is phrased as a general principle about a “people” (قَوْمٍ, qawm), and command is not exclusively for Muslims. So, it can reasonably be understood as applying to humanity broadly. God has given humans freedom of action; first responsibility is yours to act and do your best to bring the change and then put your trust in God. Passive prayers and waiting for divine help are not what God commands.

Qur’an 4:75 — An-Nisā’

وَمَا لَكُمْ لَا تُقَاتِلُونَ فِي سَبِيلِ اللَّهِ وَالْمُسْتَضْعَفِينَ مِنَ الرِّجَالِ وَالنِّسَاءِ وَالْوِلْدَانِ ۚ الَّذِينَ يَقُولُونَ رَبَّنَا أَخْرِجْنَا مِنْ هَٰذِهِ الْقَرْيَةِ الظَّالِمِ أَهْلُهَا وَاجْعَلْ لَنَا مِنْ لَدُنْكَ وَلِيًّا وَاجْعَلْ لَنَا مِنْ لَدُنْكَ نَصِيرًا

English:“And what is wrong with you that you do not fight in the cause of Allah and for the oppressed among men, women, and children who cry out—–“