As Somali-American State Senator Omar Fateh campaigns to become the next mayor of Minneapolis, he is facing a wave of Islamophobic and racially charged attacks. Far-right voices have questioned his loyalty and background, especially after a past campaign clip showed him calling Somalia “home.” Critics have used this to cast doubt on his American identity, sparking viral disinformation and doctored images online.
Despite the hostility, Fateh’s campaign has gained momentum, drawing comparisons to Zohran Mamdani—the Muslim democratic socialist who recently defeated Andrew Cuomo in New York’s Democratic mayoral primary. Both Fateh and Mamdani are sons of immigrants, rooted in grassroots organizing, and focus on issues like affordable housing, transit access, and economic equity.
Fateh responded to the backlash by reaffirming his progressive platform and love for Minneapolis’s diversity. Supporters, including civil rights groups like CAIR-MN, condemned the attacks as dangerous and divisive. His campaign has attracted youth, labor activists, and East African entrepreneurs.
As the November 4 election nears, Fateh’s path reflects a broader shift in urban U.S. politics—one that sees immigrant and Muslim voices not as outsiders, but as central to shaping the cities they call home.