New York: Queens-based Bangladeshi business leader Fahad Solaiman has withdrawn his support for mayoral candidate Zohran Mamdani, citing the lawmaker’s stance on decriminalizing prostitution. Solaiman, a resident near Roosevelt Avenue, told The Post that backing prostitution equates to supporting human trafficking. He urged his mosque community to instead support former Governor Andrew Cuomo, who is running as an independent candidate.
“After sunset, you can’t walk down Roosevelt Avenue without seeing prostitutes,” Solaiman said after Friday prayers at Darul Hidaya Mosque.
Once a Mamdani supporter for his views on Palestine, Solaiman said he now sees the assemblyman as “a hypocrite.”
Mamdani, who co-sponsored a state bill to decriminalize sex work among consenting adults, has recently avoided detailed comments on the issue. Local mosque leaders joined Solaiman in endorsing Cuomo, who trails Mamdani by about 20 points in recent polls.
“We’re proud to support Andrew Cuomo to unite our city,” said Imam Qazi Qayyoon.
Mamdani’s campaign did not respond to a request for comment.
