A former intern for Zohran Mamdani, Hadika Malik, recently made headlines for proclaiming that activism was “all jihad,” suggesting that protesters ought to face arrest for opposing Western “settlement colonialism.”
In a resurfaced video, Malik stated, “True followers know that none of this is in vain, that this is all jihad,” using a term that is often linked to the idea of Holy War in Islam. The tone of her remarks is, well, rather intense.
Malik, who served in the summer of 2024 as an intern focused on communications, outreach, and policy in Mamdani’s office, posted a smiling selfie with him on her LinkedIn.
During a Cuny4Palestine webinar titled “Islamic Political Activities,” Malik made various statements that have caused concern. An unsettling realization here is that her humanitarian concerns seem intertwined with a drive toward extreme ideology.
In the webinar, she referred to issues like “genocide, colonization, and settler colonialism,” criticizing those Muslims who are not engaging actively in activism. “If you don’t see this as an issue to deal with, you’re sick,” she asserted, denouncing those who remain passive. It raises eyebrows, doesn’t it?
She further mused about the consequences of activism, saying, “If you become a dox, this is bound to happen… True believers are not afraid of it.” This brings up a troubling notion about the nature of activism today.
While the original video is private, snippets are circulating online, which adds to the scrutiny on her remarks.
Malik is also seen in other videos confronting police officers, derogatorily dubbing them “pigs.” In one incident, she was filmed arguing with a Muslim NYPD officer at a protest.
Interestingly, despite being a student, Malik has managed to insert herself into influential activist circles, connecting with various pro-Palestinian groups across New York. She served as the president of the Students for Justice in Palestine at her college from June 2024 to June 2025.
Though Mamdani and the Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR) have yet to comment on Malik’s behavior, it does appear that she has sparked concern not only for her own actions but also for the broader implications of such rhetoric within activist communities.
Yet, this isn’t her first controversy. Another video has emerged showing her criticizing Muslim officers at pro-Palestinian rallies, effectively leading chants against them.
In one instance, she faced off against police, reading officers’ names aloud and making incendiary remarks about their identities, showing an unsettling level of aggression.
Malik’s behavior could certainly be alarming to those entrenched in activism. While it’s crucial to recognize that Mamdani is not responsible for the actions of his interns, Malik’s comments suggest a troubling trend among some activists.
It seems that not all pro-Palestinian activism emanates solely from humanitarian concerns for Gaza; some are fueled by more radical ideologies that may overshadow genuine humanitarian efforts.
Hearing such intense rhetoric from college students is, well, troubling. It’s essential for genuine activists to clarify their stance and distance themselves from such extremism.
