Cuomo Addresses Members at Masjid Ansarudeen Islamic Center in the Bronx
Bronx, N.Y. – Andrew M. Cuomo, candidate for mayor of New York City, today met with members of the Ansarudeen Islamic Center today to discuss issues important to the community.
In a spirited conversation moderated by Sheik Ibrahim Niass, Cuomo discussed how his administration will help build much-needed affordable housing, how to support non-profit organizations in the community and how to improve the education system for all.
“We thank former Governor Cuomo for visiting the Masjid Ansarudeen Islamic Center today and engaging in an important dialogue with our community. His message of unity is one we all share as we work to build a safer, more affordable, and more inclusive New York City. We appreciate his years-long work in standing up against Islamophobia, particularly Trump’s Muslim ban, and his support for a mosque in downtown Manhattan at a time when few showed the same courage and support,” Sheik Ibrahim Niass said. “In particular, his willingness to support our efforts for an Arabic charter school is welcomed news. He is welcome here anytime, as we all work together towards a stronger, more united city for all.”
A transcript of Cuomo’s opening remarks is below:
Well, first, let me thank you very much for the hospitality and for seeing me. I hear exactly what you’re saying, and I respect it.
I’ve been in government for a long time. My father was governor before me, from 1982 to 1994. I know I look younger than I actually am (laughter).
I started working with my father when I was 18 years old. He served as governor for 12 years, and then I went to the federal government with President Bill Clinton, where I served in his cabinet as Secretary of Housing. In that role, I built housing all across the country. Later, I became Attorney General, and then I served as Governor of New York for 11 years.
But I’m running for mayor now because this is probably the most important election of my lifetime, and I’m deeply worried about the city. I’ve never been more concerned about New York than I am right now. We face serious problems and two very different paths forward. You know these problems because you live with them: crime, affordability, and a public education system that is failing too many children, especially in poor Black and brown communities.
Since COVID, we’ve lost 1 million people who left New York because they simply couldn’t take it anymore. What we do at this moment is pivotal.
My emphasis is on safety. We need to hire more police to work with the community and keep the streets safe. On education—when schools are failing, I believe we should close them and replace them with charter schools. I’m a strong believer in charter schools.
I know many oppose them, but when a public school fails generation after generation, and we keep it open anyway, that’s unacceptable. If a school has been failing for a prolonged period, shut it down and give a charter school or a specialized school the chance to succeed.
Then there’s affordability, which is crushing people. I would create a grocery supplement program for New Yorkers making up to $50,000, and I would make MTA buses and subways free for people in that income bracket. On housing, the only real solution is to build more. That’s the only way to bring rents down. Anyone who tells you otherwise is offering a gimmick.
We currently have a 1% vacancy rate in our housing stock. Think about that. Technically, anything below 5% is considered a housing emergency. At 1%, if you don’t rent the apartment, the person right behind you will.
That’s my direction. My opponent’s direction is the exact opposite—a socialist philosophy that is anti-business, more anti-police, and would reduce the number of officers. It would legalize prostitution and the drug trade.
Now, as a Christian, I’ll point out that the Bible speaks to this. In Leviticus, it condemns prostitution; in the New Testament, St. Peter speaks against intoxicants. In the Quran, prostitution is referred to as zina, and intoxicants are called haram. There are similarities between the two faiths, and I want to impress you with my knowledge of both the Bible and the Quran (laughter).
But more importantly, I think my opponent’s direction would be dangerous for our children, who already face enough obstacles. That’s why I’m running for mayor—because the decision we make now will have a profound and lasting impact.
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