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Zohran Mamdani faces Islamophobic attacks for eating rice with hands
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Zohran Mamdani faces Islamophobic attacks for eating rice with hands

Many came to Zohran's defence, pointing out that eating with one’s hands is a normal and traditional practice in many cultures.
Zohran Mamdani faces Islamophobic attacks for eating rice with hands

Web Desk

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1 Jul 2025

New York Assemblyman Zohran Mamdani, fresh off a major victory in the Democratic primary, is facing a wave of online criticism much of it laced with Islamophobia and cultural intolerance, as he emerges as a strong contender in the upcoming New York City mayoral election.

The controversy began after a pro-Trump X  account, End Wokeness, posted a video clip showing Mamdani eating rice with his hands during an interview. The caption read, “Zohran says his worldview is inspired by the Third World while eating rice with his hands.”

The video quickly went viral, generating millions of views and triggering a polarised debate online.

While many users mocked Mamdani’s eating style as "uncivilised", others came to his defence, pointing out that eating with one’s hands is a normal and traditional practice in many cultures, including South Asia, parts of Africa, and even in Western countries, where foods like burgers, sandwiches, and wings are also eaten without utensils.

Read: Trump threatens to cut federal funding if Zohran Mamdani becomes NYC mayor

As the debate intensified, Republican lawmakers joined the fray. Congressman Brandon Gill tweeted, “Civilised people in America don’t eat like this. If you refuse to adopt Western customs, go back to the Third World.”

In response, prominent journalist Mehdi Hasan hit back, revealing that Gill’s father-in-law is Indian and also eats rice with his hands, an ironic twist that left critics exposed.

Meanwhile, far-right commentator Savannah Hernandez tweeted, “Anybody who eats with their hands like this should be barred from ever being allowed in American politics.”

Her remarks sparked a wave of backlash. Mamdani’s supporters responded by highlighting how Western practices, such as using toilet paper instead of water, are considered unhygienic in many Asian and Middle Eastern cultures.

Palestinian journalist Abubaker Abed responded. “Don’t lecture people on morals and etiquette when you don’t even know how to use a toilet.”

The backlash continued as American journalist Laura Loomer added fuel to the fire with a racist tweet calling Mamdani an “Islamist” and referring to him as “little Muhammad.”

“Disgusting. My dogs are cleaner and more civilised when they eat than little Muhammad,” she wrote.

Ironically, users were quick to dig up and share a photo of Loomer herself eating with her bare hands, calling out the hypocrisy and hate behind her remarks.

Supporters of Mamdani pushed back hard, posting lists of commonly eaten Western foods consumed with bare hands, pizza, burgers, fries, croissants, burritos, wings, chips, and more, accusing critics of targeted xenophobia and double standards.

They also highlighted that in South Asian cultures, eating with hands is not only traditional but follows specific etiquette, only the fingertips are used to pick up food, and it’s considered a mindful and respectful way of eating.

https://twitter.com/IODHAV/status/1939464317293969813

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