Muslim Americans in Public Service (MAPS) condemns the escalating anti-Muslim and anti-Arab discrimination in our public institutions and political arena. Prejudice not only harms our communities but also undermines nation's founding principles of equality and justice for all.

MAPS condemns the anti-Muslim rhetoric used by public figures in the New York City mayoral race targeting nominee Zohran Mamdani. These bigoted attacks included alarming instances of 9/11 smears, fear mongering about "Islamic extremism," and the use of racist imagery. Such attacks are an attempt to prevent Muslim Americans from civic engagement and from entering public service. Muslim Americans will not be intimidated and MAPS will continue our mission to create an enabling ecosystem for Muslim American public servants to thrive both personally and professionally.

Recent allegations in a lawsuit filed by Hassan Naveed, the former Director of Hate Crimes Prevention for the NYC Mayor’s office, point to a hostile environment of institutional discrimination within the New York City Government. Claims include the political erasure of Palestinian identity and the systemic exclusion of Muslim employees from critical discussions. These allegations represent a grave breach of public trust.

We call on all Americans to collectively reject these tactics of division and fear. Inclusive governance is not a luxury; it is the bedrock of a thriving democracy. Muslims Americans, despite this bigotry, will continue to advocate for ourselves and our communities.