Did Mamdani get campaign funds from Hamas-linked outfit? — Mentor Linda Sarsour makes shocking claim

Mamdani, widely regarded as the frontrunner in the race, will learn his fate when results are announced on November 4.

According to a report in The New York Post, Sarsour, who has long served as a political mentor and ally to Mamdani, boasted that both she and the Hamas-linked nonprofit helped propel his political rise.

She identified the Unity and Justice Fund PAC, a CAIR-backed organisation, as “the largest institutional donor to the pro-Zohran super PAC in New York.”

Public filings show that the Unity and Justice PAC contributed $120,000 (around Rs 25 crore) to the Lower Costs PAC, a New York-based group supporting Mamdani, out of nearly $3 million raised in this election cycle.

CAIR under Congressional investigation

The funding revelation comes as CAIR faces investigation by U.S. lawmakers, including Rep. Elise Stefanik (R-NY) and Sen. Tom Cotton (R-AR), who have urged the U.S. Treasury Department to probe whether the organisation receives financial support from Hamas.

Evidence presented in a recent congressional hearing suggested that the nonprofit may have received “seed money” from the designated terrorist group, according to The New York Post.

The allegations have cast a shadow over Mamdani’s campaign, raising questions about his acceptance of donations from an entity under federal scrutiny.

Sarsour’s remarks stir political controversy

A separate video that surfaced on Monday shows Sarsour — known for her open support of Hamas — hinting that she might share more details about Mamdani’s rapid political ascent and his alleged financial backing from CAIR after the election concludes.

Sarsour, 45, a member of the Democratic Socialists of America (DSA) alongside Mamdani, also warned that she and her allies would hold him accountable if he failed to deliver on his leftist and Marxist campaign promises.

“When Zohran gets inaugurated in January, and as we move forward with this mayor, we have to be the people outside,” she said.

She added that Mamdani should remind his critics that he is answerable to the “constituents, activists, and organisers” who helped him rise to power — a comment widely interpreted as a signal that she expects political influence if he wins.

Mamdani faces Cuomo, Sliwa in three-way race

Mamdani, who earlier defeated former Governor Andrew Cuomo in the Democratic primary, now faces Cuomo — running as an independent — and Republican nominee Curtis Sliwa in Tuesday’s general election.

The growing controversy over his campaign’s alleged financial links to CAIR has added a new layer of tension to what is already one of New York City’s most closely watched political battles.