Former Intern of Zohran Mamdani Labels Anti-Israel Protests as ‘Jihad’ and Confronts NYPD Officers
Hadeeqa Malik, a former intern for New York City mayoral candidate Zohran Mamdani, has come under scrutiny following the release of a resurfaced video in which she describes anti-Israel protests as ‘jihad’ and encourages participants to confront law enforcement. The footage, which has sparked controversy, shows Malik addressing Muslims who have not joined the protests, asserting that their inaction is incompatible with their faith. She argues that engaging in such activism is divinely sanctioned, framing it as a form of ‘jihad’—a term traditionally associated with Islamic holy war.
Malik, who interned with Mamdani during the summer of 2024, was working as an outreach coordinator for the Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR) at the time. Her profile also mentions her role as president of the City College of New York chapter of Students for Justice in Palestine, a group known for its pro-Palestinian stance. The video captures her responding to concerns about protesters facing doxing or arrest, encouraging them to view such actions as necessary for their cause. She questions the resolve of individuals, asking,