On Friday, September 26th, Andrew Cuomo visited the Darou Salam Islamic Community Mosque in the Bronx during Jummah prayers, meeting with congregants and reaffirming his focus on public safety, education, and inclusion.
Imam Bamba Hedree said the visit was “deeply meaningful,” adding that Cuomo’s support for the city’s first Arabic language charter school and his attention to public safety and education showed “respect for our community and a desire to build a more inclusive city for all.”
The initiative has gained momentum among Muslim families who view the school as both historic and necessary. With nearly 200,000 Arabic-speaking or Muslim-background students in the city, supporters argue the program would build on the success of other language-focused charter schools, including Hebrew, Greek, and French models.
Cuomo closed the visit by expressing his commitment to creating “a safer, more affordable, and more inclusive New York City for everyone.”
