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Mamdani faces a Muslim problem ahead of Gracie Mansion protest
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Mayor Zohran Mamdani is facing a Muslim problem with local Muslim activists planning to spill into the streets Tuesday night outside Gracie Mansion, where protesters will accuse the mayor of promoting what they describe as an extreme form of Islamism.
Meanwhile, Mamdani, New York City’s first Muslim mayor, is also facing criticism from hardline anti-Israel activists who argue he has not gone far enough in support of Palestinian activism after taking office.
Anila Ali, president of the American Muslim & Multifaith Women’s Empowerment Council, said she plans to join Tuesday night’s protest because she believes Mamdani’s politics are alienating moderate Muslims and damaging relations between Muslim and Jewish communities in New York.
«With Mamdani in office, we feel our religion is now hijacked once again and is being used by these Islamists,» Ali told Fox News Digital in a video interview.
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New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani and Anila Ali, president of the American Muslim & Multifaith Women’s Empowerment Council. Ali is among the organizers of a planned protest outside Gracie Mansion criticizing Mamdani over what demonstrators describe as extremist and divisive politics. Mamdani has also faced criticism from hardline anti-Israel activists who argue he has not gone far enough in support of Palestinian activism. (Selcuk Acar/Anadolu via Getty Images; right photo courtesy of Anila Ali.)
Ali described herself as part of a post-9/11 movement of «moderate Muslims» who reject Islamist extremism and believe Islam is compatible with coexistence, religious freedom and life in America.
She described Islamism as a hardline political ideology that merges religion and politics, and she argued Mamdani represents a more radical version of Islam than the moderate faith practiced by many American Muslims.
She said moderate Muslims don’t identify with Islamist groups such as the Council on American Islamic Affairs (CAIR), which she accused of monopolizing public representation of Islam in America and promoting a hardline Islamist movement. Ali said many moderate Muslims feel increasingly sidelined by activist groups and political organizations they believe do not represent their faith or values.
«Zohran Mamdani is their success story. The Muslim Brotherhood, they backed him,» Ali told Fox News Digital in a video interview.
ZOHRAN MAMDANI SAYS HE WILL DISCOURAGE ‘GLOBALIZE THE INTIFADA’ PHRASE
However, criticism of Mamdani is not only coming from moderate Muslim and interfaith activists. Hardline anti-Israel activists have also criticized the mayor for not going far enough in support of Palestinian activism after taking office.
«When he said that Israel has the right to exist, I also clearly called that out,» anti-Israel activist Nerdeen Kiswani, a Palestinian-American activist, told Fox News Digital last week. Kiswani is the co-founder of the pro-Palestinian group Within Our Lifetime, which staged a Nakba rally in New York on May 15 where demonstrators chanted «globalize the intifada.»
Kiswani also criticized Mamdani for what she described as walking back his earlier defense of the phrase «globalize the intifada» and softening his stance on Palestinian activism after taking office.
«I don’t think he or any politician is doing enough in support of Palestinian liberation,» Kiswani said.
The divide has turned Mamdani into a local flashpoint in a broader political battle playing out across the United States, where anti-Israel activism, Islamist movements and far-left groups have increasingly merged into overlapping protest coalitions.
Ali said Mamdani’s support for the Boycott, Divestment and Sanctions (BDS) movement against Israel, his comments surrounding Israel’s right to exist as a Jewish state and his defense of slogans such as «globalize the intifada» have alienated many moderate Muslims and worsened tensions between Muslims and Jews in New York.
Within Our Lifetime co-founder Nerdeen Kiswani speaks during a «Nakba 78» anti-Israel protest in Washington Square Park on May 15, 2026, in New York City, as demonstrators carrying Palestinian flags and Hamas flags gather behind her. (Asra Q. Nomani/Fox News Digital)
«They start with the Jewish people — that’s not where they’re going to end,» Ali said.
«But more importantly, what he’s done is he’s damaged interfaith relations. He’s damaged the image of Islam.»
Ali said that Mamdani still retains strong support from progressive and pro-Palestinian activist groups that helped fuel his political rise.
Tuesday’s protest outside Gracie Mansion, Ali said, is intended to show Muslims, Jews and Christians standing together against what she described as extremist Islamist politics masquerading as mainstream Islam.
«[Mamdani] starts teaching our kids, Muslim kids and American kids, Islamism 101,» Ali said, referring to what she described as efforts to normalize Islamist political ideology through activism and identity politics.
Pro-Palestinians gather at a ‘Stop the Sale of Stolen Palestinian Land’ protest against a ‘Great Israel Real Estate’ event at the Park East Synagogue in Manhattan on May 5, 2026. The NYPD increased security and established a perimeter around the synagogue on E. 67th and E. 68th Streets in New York City. (Selcuk Acar/Anadolu via Getty Images)
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Ali also described Mamdani’s politics as part of a «red-green alliance» between Islamist activists and the far left.
She warned New York risks following the path of British cities such as Bradford, Birmingham and Manchester, which she described as overtaken by extremism and division. The cities have long been at the center of debates in the United Kingdom over immigration, Islamist extremism, segregation and multiculturalism.
«The radical Islamism, it’s just unbearable to see what’s happened to the UK,» she said.
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The protest is being organized by End Jew Hatred alongside a coalition of Muslim, Jewish and Christian groups, including the American Muslim & Multifaith Women’s Empowerment Council and the Catholic League.
CAIR acknowledged Fox News Digital’s request for comment. Mamdani’s office did not immediately respond.
zohran mamdani, politics, new york city, middle east foreign policy, local, islam, anti semitism, us protests
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World-famous Catholic shrine torched, ‘Devil in a skirt’ scrawled on Virgin Mary statue
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A man has been arrested after one of the world’s most famous Catholic pilgrimage sites was vandalized and partially set on fire, with a statue of the Virgin Mary defaced and the words «Devil in a skirt» scrawled across its pedestal in black, according to reports.
Bosnian police arrested a suspect Tuesday in connection with the overnight vandalism and arson at the Shrine of Our Lady in Medjugorje, according to Vatican News.
Authorities have not released the man’s identity as investigators work to determine a motive and whether he was responsible for other incidents reported at the shrine that same night, the outlet said.
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Police were first called around 4:30 a.m. on July 27 after the face and hands of the statue of the Virgin Mary on Apparition Hill, also known as Podbrdo, were found covered in black paint. (Associated Press)
Police were called around 4:30 a.m. on July 27 after the face and hands of the statue of the Virgin Mary on Apparition Hill, also known as Podbrdo, were found covered in black paint.
The pedestal at the foot of the statue was spray-painted with the English phrase «Devil in a skirt,» while other graffiti and the statue’s hands were painted black.
An outdoor altar nearby was also set on fire near St. James Church, the outlet said.
Surveillance footage reportedly at that location showed a man pouring what investigators believe was gasoline onto the altar before setting it ablaze. The fire was extinguished.
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Police were first called around 4:30 a.m. on July 27 after the face and hands of the statue of the Virgin Mary on Apparition Hill, also known as Podbrdo, were found covered in black paint. (Associated Press)
The two attacks came just days before Medjugorje’s annual youth prayer festival, which is expected to draw more than 50,000 pilgrims from around the world.
In a statement Tuesday, the Medjugorje Parish Office condemned the vandalism and urged Catholics to respond with «prayer, fasting, and forgiveness» rather than anger.
«It is with great sadness that we received the news of the act of vandalism,» the parish said.
Church officials also said cleanup and repairs began immediately so the damaged prayer sites could once again welcome pilgrims.
«The affected areas are being cleaned and restored as quickly as possible,» the parish said, thanking volunteers for helping preserve the shrine as «a place of encounter with God, a place of peace.»
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Church officials also said cleanup and repairs began immediately so the damaged prayer sites could once again welcome pilgrims. (Associated Press)
Rather than calling for retribution, the parish urged the faithful to pray for those responsible.
«We pray for the conversion of the hearts of those who committed this act,» the statement said, asking that God «touch them with His grace and lead them on the path of goodness.»
The parish also appealed for peace, encouraging Catholics «not to return evil for evil,» but instead to bear witness through «love, forgiveness and hope.»
Despite the attack, officials said the shrine remains open, and its regular schedule of Mass and prayer services will continue as planned.
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Located about 85 miles southwest of Sarajevo, Medjugorje became one of the world’s best-known Catholic pilgrimage destinations after six children and teenagers reported seeing apparitions of the Virgin Mary there in 1981.
The Vatican gave the green light for Catholics to continue flocking to Medjugorje offering its approval for devotion at one of the most contested sites of Roman Catholic practice in recent years, The Associated Press reported Tuesday.
roman catholic, religion, vandalism
INTERNACIONAL
Honduras: ENEE advierte que se agota el tiempo para rescatar la estatal mientras Congreso aplaza reforma eléctrica
El gerente de la Empresa Nacional de Energía Eléctrica (ENEE), Guillermo Peña Panting, alertó este martes que el tiempo para rescatar financieramente a la estatal se reduce mientras la reforma al sector eléctrico continúa en discusión en el Congreso Nacional, escenario que, según afirmó, prolonga las pérdidas económicas y retrasa inversiones consideradas indispensables para modernizar el sistema energético del país.
El funcionario sostuvo que, aunque las conversaciones entre las diferentes fuerzas políticas han permitido avanzar en el análisis de la iniciativa, la empresa necesita que las decisiones se adopten con prontitud para poner en marcha cambios estructurales que permitan reducir pérdidas, fortalecer la infraestructura y atraer nuevas inversiones al sector.
«Esperamos que siga la conversación y que se presente el momento para la aprobación. Vemos que hay un espacio para seguir mejorando y tenemos que esperar; ese es el camino, el diálogo abierto y la confianza fortalecida“, manifestó.
De acuerdo con Peña Panting, la estatal enfrenta importantes desafíos financieros que requieren una reorganización del sector eléctrico para habilitar nuevos mecanismos de inversión, especialmente en las áreas de transmisión, distribucióny generación de energía.
El gerente explicó que la separación de las unidades operativas permitiría que cada una pueda gestionar proyectos con mayor agilidad, además de concentrar esfuerzos en la reducción de pérdidas técnicas y no técnicas que afectan las finanzas de la empresa.
Asimismo, sostuvo que contar con un sistema energético más eficiente contribuiría a mejorar la competitividad del país y facilitaría la llegada de nuevas inversiones nacionales y extranjeras.
«Al no haber una oferta energética competitiva en el país se limita la posibilidad de inversión“, afirmó.
El titular de la ENEE recordó que la empresa registra pérdidas cercanas a 40 millones de lempiras diarios, por lo que actualmente se ejecutan medidas para disminuir gastos, reorganizar las finanzas y reducir el endeudamiento.
No obstante, advirtió que esas acciones administrativas no serán suficientes si no se aprueba una reforma integral que permita transformar el funcionamiento del sector eléctrico.
«Si no tomamos las decisiones difíciles vamos a seguir en este problema, y lo que seguirá creciendo no es solo la deuda, sino también la presión para las finanzas públicas del Estado“, expresó.
Mientras el proyecto continúa en discusión legislativa, la estatal asegura que mantiene trabajos de mantenimiento de líneas, reestructuración de circuitos y otras acciones operativas orientadas a mejorar la calidad del servicio y disminuir las pérdidas.
Por su parte, el jefe de bancada del Partido Liberal, Jorge Cálix, reconoció que la reforma energética es necesaria para Honduras, pero afirmó que su bancada no respaldará el proyecto sin antes analizarlo a profundidad y presentar una contrapropuesta.
El congresista sostuvo que los liberales apoyarán únicamente aquellas disposiciones que consideren beneficiosas para la población y propondrán modificaciones en los aspectos que, a su juicio, puedan mejorarse.
«No vamos a salir corriendo, sabemos que es un tema urgente, pero justamente por eso lo vamos a hacer despacio y con buena letra“, declaró.
Cálix explicó que la bancada consultó a especialistas internacionales de Guatemala, Panamá, Costa Rica y El Salvadorpara conocer experiencias sobre reformas energéticas antes de definir una postura definitiva.
Aunque ambas partes coinciden en la necesidad de transformar el sector eléctrico, mantienen diferencias sobre la velocidad con la que debe aprobarse la iniciativa.
Mientras la ENEE sostiene que cada día de retraso incrementa las pérdidas económicas y dificulta el rescate financiero de la empresa, el Partido Liberal insiste en que una o dos semanas adicionales de análisis permitirán construir una propuesta más sólida y evitar decisiones apresuradas que puedan afectar a los consumidores y al sistema energético nacional.
Corresponsal:Desde Tegucigalpa, Honduras
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South Dakota Gov. Larry Rhoden fended off a primary challenge from businessman and Bitcoin evangelist Toby Doeden on Tuesday, winning the first gubernatorial primary runoff in state history and advancing to the November general election.
The Associated Press called the race for Rhoden within minutes of final polls closing. He had received 70.5% of the vote compared with Doeden’s 29.5% at the time it was called, with approximately 25% of the expected vote counted.
The election marked the first time South Dakota voters were asked to settle a gubernatorial nomination through a primary runoff. State law requires a runoff between the two leading candidates when no contender for governor, U.S. Senate or U.S. House receives at least 35% of the primary vote.
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South Dakota Governor Larry Rhoden (left) and primary challenger Republican candidate for governor Toby Doeden (right) (Toby Doeden for South Dakota/Getty Images)
The head-to-head contest followed a four-way June primary in which Doeden finished first with 30.6% of the vote and Rhoden placed second with 25.2%, leaving both short of the 35% needed to secure the nomination outright. Rhoden became governor in early 2025 after Kristi Noem left to join the Trump administration, while Doeden entered the race as a businessman and political newcomer.
Doeden also built a public profile as a Bitcoin evangelist. He said he began investing «very, very heavily» in the cryptocurrency around 2020 after devoting roughly 500 hours to researching it, eventually converting nearly all the cash reserves from his companies that he did not expect to need into Bitcoin.
«I will buy bitcoin forever, every single day,» Doeden previously said on his podcast, according to the South Dakota Searchlight. «We mine bitcoin, we buy bitcoin.»
Doeden also supported legislation that would have allowed the South Dakota Investment Council, which manages public employee pension funds and other state investments, to invest in Bitcoin. He went further by calling for South Dakota to establish a state Bitcoin reserve – a move state investment and budget officials opposed.
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Tuesday’s winner advances to face former Democratic state Sen. Dan Ahlers in November. South Dakota has not had a Democratic governor since Harvey Wollman left office in 1979, and no Democrat has been elected to the office there since Richard Kneip won re-election in 1974. Wollman became governor automatically as lieutenant governor when Kneip resigned.
In the run-up to Tuesday’s primary runoff, property taxes were among the defining issues of the campaign. Doeden campaigned on eliminating property taxes, while Rhoden’s campaign portrayed Doeden’s proposal as fiscally reckless, arguing it could leave local governments and schools with a major funding shortfall.
Meanwhile, Rhoden’s campaign highlighted other tax relief measures that the governor signed back in March, which Rhoden’s campaign website describes as the «largest» property tax cut in the state’s history.
South Dakota Governor Larry Rhoden speaks during a rally at Mount Rushmore National Memorial on July 03, 2026 in Keystone, South Dakota. (Chip Somodevilla/Getty Images)
During the race, Doeden portrayed Rhoden as part of South Dakota’s entrenched political class, declaring after the June primary that «the career politicians told me» an outsider could not break through against three longtime officeholders.
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Rhoden pushed back on the attack, saying Doeden was trying to «make hay» out of calling him a career politician and describing that characterization as «such a warped viewpoint,» during an interview with the South Dakota Public Broadcasting network. Rhoden argued that his years in the Legislature gave him practical experience writing laws and then returning home to live under them.
President Donald Trump did not publicly weigh in with an endorsement in the runoff, according to a review by Fox News Digital. Trump thanked Rhoden by name during his July 3 remarks at Mount Rushmore but did not mention the governor’s race. Doeden, meanwhile, campaigned as a «fierce Trump supporter» who said he would help implement the president’s «America First agenda.»
south dakota, gubernatorial, state and local primaries, elections, politics
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