From 9/11 Victims to City Hall Leaders | New York City News

Twenty-five years after 9/11, three formerly marginalized Muslim leaders now hold top roles in NYC under Mayor Zohran Mamdani — a historic shift born from decades of activism against post-9/11 discrimination. Faiza Ali, once a fierce advocate for Muslim rights, now leads immigrant affairs; Ali Najmi, co-founder of the Muslim Democratic Club, chairs the judicial advisory committee; and Ramzi Kassem, who fought government surveillance, serves as chief counsel. Their rise stems from a shared belief that without political power, they were vulnerable to exclusion — fueling grassroots organizing, legal battles, and voter mobilization that transformed their community’s voice into policy influence. From fighting NYPD spying to pushing for Eid recognition in schools, their journey proves that Muslim political participation is no longer an exception — it’s becoming the norm. Listen in comfort:Get a discount on a Soli Pillow: http://solipillow.com/discount/dnn. Advertise on DNN:[email protected] This is an automated, high-level news summary based on public reporting.Report issues to [email protected]. View sources & latest updates:https://sources.thednn.ai/10d5831ef603435c