“It's made it palatable for elements even on the left to engage in ominous or brazen Islamophobia in ways that wasn't the case,” Mr Beydoun told The National.

For Mr Mamdani, it has meant the resurrection of “caricatures” relating to Muslims, linking them to the 9/11 attacks, and themes of terrorism, radicalisation and anti-Semitism.

“The idea that... See more

Mr Beydoun says that Muslims in the US are subject to structural Islamophobia – the travel ban and increased surveillance – as well as private discrimination, at work and school.

And that discrimination is becoming ever more overt.

the war in Gaza and Mr Mamdani’s campaign have legitimised and emboldened what he calls “liberal Islamophobia”.