NYC Mayor Invokes Islamic 'Hijrah' to Defend Sanctuary Policy

Mamdani's remarks draw backlash from critics who accuse him of using religious doctrine to justify mass migration and shield illegal immigrants

Published on Feb. 6, 2026

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New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani invoked Islam's concept of 'Hijrah' - a religious model for migration - as he rolled out a sanctuary-related executive order, drawing backlash from critics who accused him of using religious doctrine to justify mass migration and shield illegal immigrants from federal enforcement.

Why it matters

Mamdani's decision to elevate Hijrah from a religious narrative to a governing framework has raised concerns that he is using Islamic doctrine to justify municipal resistance to federal immigration enforcement, amid warnings that Islamist movements have long treated mass migration as a deliberate strategy to penetrate and subvert the West.

The details

Mamdani announced the order at his first Interfaith Breakfast, accusing ICE agents of 'visiting terror upon our neighbors' and likening their presence to riders arriving 'atop a pale horse.' He cited Quranic verses and a saying attributed to Prophet Muhammad to argue that faith calls for standing with 'the stranger.' Critics accused Mamdani of using Islamic doctrine to justify mass migration and shield illegal immigrants.

  • Mamdani announced the executive order on Friday, February 6, 2026.

The players

Zohran Mamdani

The mayor of New York City who invoked the Islamic concept of 'Hijrah' to defend the city's sanctuary policy.

Keith Self

A Republican Congressman who accused Mamdani of being 'the poster boy for the Islamic jihadists, globalists, and marxists.'

Vickie Paladino

A New York City Councilwoman who mocked Mamdani's premise, warning 'This isn't going to end well.'

Peter Schweizer

A bestselling investigative author and Breitbart News senior contributor who has documented how Islamist movements have long treated mass migration as a deliberate strategy to penetrate and subvert the West.

Siraj Wahaj

A cleric whom Mamdani campaigned with and who is tied to figures involved in the 1993 World Trade Center bombing, according to Schweizer.

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What they’re saying

“We will make it clear once again ICE will not be able to enter New York City property without a judicial warrant.”

— Zohran Mamdani, Mayor of New York City (Breitbart)

“If faith offers us the moral compass to stand alongside the stranger, government can provide the resources. Let us create a new expectation of City Hall, where power is wielded to love, to embrace, and to protect. We will stand with the stranger today.”

— Zohran Mamdani, Mayor of New York City (Breitbart)

“Sane people must leave NYC while they still can...”

— Dave Rubin, Political commentator (Breitbart)

“Non Muslims allowed in Mecca?”

— Michael Rapaport, Actor and commentator (Breitbart)

“Is this America?”

— Dr. Carol Swain, Prize-winning author and political commentator (Breitbart)

What’s next

The judge in the case will decide on Tuesday whether or not to allow Walker Reed Quinn out on bail.

The takeaway

Mamdani's invocation of the Islamic concept of 'Hijrah' to defend New York City's sanctuary policy has sparked concerns that he is using religious doctrine to justify municipal resistance to federal immigration enforcement, raising questions about the role of faith in governance and the potential weaponization of migration.