Faith in the Public Square
Reflections on Prophetic Pragmatism in Politics

Wednesday, July 16, 2025 | After Maghreb (iqamah at 8:43 pm)
ADAMS Center Sterling, Main Musallah

In late June 2025, Zohran Mamdani secured the Democratic nomination for New York City mayor—marking a historic moment as the city’s first Muslim and Indian-American candidate. His nomination has prompted a wide range of responses: some media outlets have labeled Mamdani an “Islamist” and raised alarmist rhetoric about his background, while some within the Muslim community have questioned whether he is “Muslim enough,” cautioning against placing too much emphasis on identity.

Join Imam Suhaib Webb for a thoughtful and principled exploration of the tensions and questions this moment raises:

Can Muslims ethically support a candidate whose personal religiosity may differ from normative expectations, yet whose presence challenges injustice and systemic bias, and may help uplift the downtrodden?
What value does representation offer, even when the candidate is not “perfect”?
How do we affirm identity while avoiding the reduction of politics to identity politics?
Which Islamic ethical frameworks—such as choosing the lesser harm (أخف الضررين) and prophetic wisdom—can guide us through complex and imperfect political landscapes?

Grounded in Islamic legal maxims and prophetic precedent, this session invites open and respectful dialogue on mercy, justice, power, and strategy. It offers a space to reflect on what our tradition asks of us as we navigate the realities of civic engagement today.

Disclaimer:
ADAMS Center is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization and does not endorse or oppose any political candidates. All views expressed are those of the speaker alone and do not represent the official position of the ADAMS Center.

Faith in the Public Square: Reflections on Prophetic Pragmatism in Politics

By Adams Center

Faith in the Public Square: Reflections on Prophetic Pragmatism in Politics

An interactive session with Imam Suhaib Webb reflecting on the recent nomination of Zohran Mamdani and broader questions of Muslim public ethics