Hochul Appoints First Muslim Affairs Liaison to Improve Relationship with Community

Hochul Appoints First Muslim Affairs Liaison in New York

Following months of criticism for her handling of the war in Gaza, Governor Kathy Hochul has taken steps to improve relations with the Muslim community in New York by appointing Mamadou Siré Bah as the state’s first Director of Muslim American Affairs.

The appointment, which was made in June, comes after Hochul faced backlash for her initial response to the war in Gaza. Her first message to Palestinian New Yorkers several days after the Hamas attack and Israel's subsequent and ongoing military response in Gaza was to “reject Hamas.” This message was seen as insensitive and dismissive of the concerns of Palestinian New Yorkers.

Hochul's decision to create the position of Director of Muslim American Affairs was driven by conversations with Muslim leaders in Western New York who expressed the need for greater representation and engagement from the government. Bah, who previously served as Senior Advance Associate in the Attorney General's office, is expected to play a key role in bridging the gap between the government and the Muslim community.

Muslim leaders have welcomed the appointment of Bah, praising his experience in community outreach and his commitment to representing the diverse needs of Muslim New Yorkers. They hope that Bah's appointment will mark a turning point in the relationship between the Hochul administration and the Muslim community.

However, some critics have pointed out that the appointment alone is not enough to repair the damage done by Hochul's previous actions. They argue that Hochul needs to take concrete steps to demonstrate her commitment to supporting the Muslim community, including meeting with community leaders, listening to their concerns, and apologizing for her past rhetoric.

Only time will tell whether Bah's appointment will lead to a genuine improvement in relations between the Hochul administration and the Muslim community. However, it is a significant step towards recognizing the importance of Muslim voices in New York politics.