Bangladeshi Leader Opposes Candidate for Mayor

A prominent Bangladeshi figure in Queens has withdrawn support for Zoran Mamdani, urging his community to resist the candidate whom he claims will promote prostitution. Fahad Soraiman, living near Roosevelt Avenue, known for its high visibility of sex workers, expressed his concerns about the impact of such policies.

“Supporting prostitution means supporting human trafficking,” he stated, emphasizing his viewpoint in an exclusive interview.

Soraiman has indicated his intention to vote for former governor Andrew Cuomo and has called upon members of his mosque to likewise oppose Mamdani, the candidate from the progressive wing of the Democratic Party.

After Friday prayers at Darul Hidaya Mosque, Soraiman shared his experience walking Roosevelt Avenue after dark, highlighting the distressing number of sex workers he encounters there.

A well-respected businessman and the general secretary of the Jackson Heights Bangladesh Business Association, Soraiman had previously engaged with Cuomo during a mosque service, encouraging community support for the former governor in light of Mamdani’s candidacy.

Although initially backing Mamdani due to his stance on Palestine, Soraiman has shifted his support, claiming that Mamdani’s actions reflect hypocrisy as the campaign has continued.

Mamdani has co-hosted legislation aimed at decriminalizing prostitution among consenting adults, which has led to a lack of arrests for both sex workers and their clients. However, his stance has become less clear in recent months.

Leaders from the mosque rallied with Soraiman to express their backing for Cuomo, noting the substantial gap in the polls, with Cuomo leading Mamdani by at least 20 points.

“I am proud to support Andrew Cuomo for mayor,” said Imam Kazi Kaiyong, emphasizing the need for unity in the community rather than division.

A critical concern among Cuomo’s supporters has been the revival of former Mayor Bill de Blasio’s policy against prosecuting sex workers, a plan that has faced significant discussion since Mamdani took office.

Despite the complexity of the issue, Mamdani argues his position represents a commitment to justice and public policy, even while acknowledging that prostitution contradicts Islamic teachings.

Soraiman expressed frustration, suggesting there’s a disconnect in Mamdani’s identity depending on the audience, contrasting his claims to different communities.

Cuomo’s recent efforts to capture this issue might be seen as a strategic move, but he appears to be struggling to gain momentum after an earlier defeat against Mamdani in the Democratic primary.

A representative for Zohran Mamdani has yet to reply to requests for comment regarding the statements made by Soraiman and others.