Anti-Israel Activist Blames NYC Dog Poop 'Apocalypse' on Need for Islam

Nerdeen Kiswani, head of the radical group Within Our Lifetime, criticized dog owners for not cleaning up after their pets, suggesting it's a sign NYC should embrace Islam.

Published on Feb. 13, 2026

Got story updates? Submit your updates here. ›

An anti-Israel activist named Nerdeen Kiswani, who runs the radical group Within Our Lifetime, was among the many New Yorkers outraged by the mounds of uncleaned dog poop littering sidewalks after a recent winter storm. Kiswani quipped on social media that the "dog poop apocalypse" is proof that New York City should turn to Islam, claiming dogs are "unclean" and have no place as indoor pets.

Why it matters

Kiswani's comments sparked further controversy, as her radical anti-Israel views and calls for New Yorkers to embrace Islam were seen by many as an inappropriate and insensitive response to the very real issue of irresponsible dog owners not cleaning up after their pets. The piles of dog waste have become a public health and safety concern in parts of the city.

The details

After a major winter storm in late January, social media was flooded with complaints from angry New Yorkers about the minefields of dog poop left on sidewalks that had not been cleared. Even some progressive city council members, like Chi Ossé, took to social media to blast dog owners for not picking up after their pets. City officials said they had received nearly 250 poop-related complaints in the two weeks after the storm, an 8% increase from the same period the prior year, though no citations had been issued.

  • The winter storm that left piles of uncleaned dog waste on NYC sidewalks occurred on January 25, 2026.
  • In the two weeks following the storm, the city received nearly 250 complaints about dog waste, an 8% increase from the same period in the prior year.

The players

Nerdeen Kiswani

An anti-Israel activist who runs the radical group Within Our Lifetime.

Chi Ossé

A progressive Brooklyn City Councilman who blasted dog owners on social media for not picking up after their pets.

Shahana Hanif

A Brooklyn City Councilwoman who shared a news article about the dog poop problem and urged locals to clean up after their dogs.

Got photos? Submit your photos here. ›

What they’re saying

“Finally, NYC is coming to Islam. Dogs definitely have a place in society, just not as indoor pets. Like we've said all along, they are unclean.”

— Nerdeen Kiswani, Head of the radical group Within Our Lifetime (X)

“Pick up your f–king dog s–t.”

— Chi Ossé, Brooklyn City Councilman (X)

“Unlike manure, dog waste is a public health hazard. It spreads bacteria, pollutes our streets and waterways, and creates unsafe conditions — especially for seniors and people with disabilities. Not picking it up isn't just gross. It puts all of us at risk.”

— Shahana Hanif, Brooklyn City Councilwoman (X)

The takeaway

Kiswani's controversial comments linking the dog poop problem to the need for New Yorkers to embrace Islam have further inflamed tensions around this issue, which is a real public health and safety concern in parts of the city. While the focus should remain on irresponsible dog owners, Kiswani's remarks have drawn criticism for being insensitive and inappropriate.