Malik, who served as a communications, outreach, policy, and constituent services intern in Mamdani’s New York State Assembly district office during the summer of 2024, is seen in the video shouting at the officer, with some posts on X claiming she invoked the Islamic term “Shaheed” (martyr) during the exchange. Post on X reflect users' alarm, calling Malik an “Islamist” and warned that “these are the lunatics who’ll run the city if [Mamdani] becomes mayor,” reflecting a charged public sentiment. Other posts, like those from @smithsphon echoed this, calling Malik “unhinged” and tying her actions to Mamdani’s campaign, though no evidence suggests Mamdani endorsed her behavior.
The controversy emerges amid intense scrutiny of Mamdani since he won the Democratic primary on June 25, 2025, against former Governor Andrew Cuomo. He has a huge amount of critics, including President Donald Trump and Republican figures like Rep. Andy Ogles, with some claiming he supports “global jihad” or is an illegal immigrant.
Mamdani, born in Uganda to Indian parents, has also been criticized for not condemning the phrase “globalize the intifada,” though he denies anti-Jewish sentiment. The video of Malik, who co-founded the Students for Justice in Palestine (SJP) chapter at Bowdoin College with Mamdani, adds fuel to these attacks, with opponents linking her actions to Mamdani’s past advocacy, including his 2020 call to defund the NYPD.
Mamdani’s campaign has not publicly commented on Malik’s actions, and no evidence indicates she remains affiliated with him. It's still damning. If these are the people Madani chose to surround himself with, what does that say about him? What does that say about the future of New York?!
To make matters worse, according to Open Source Intel on X, "Malik is calling for a Holy War through Jihad and martyrdom:
“This is all jihad, this is all ibada, and this is all counted for by Allah.
How committed am I to this? What am I willing to sacrifice for this noble cause?”"
