Former Governor Andrew Cuomo is scheduled to visit the Futa Islamic Center in the Bronx tomorrow, September 12th, in what community leaders describe as a significant moment for New York City’s African Muslim population.
The visit comes as African immigrants, many of them Muslim, are becoming increasingly active in city politics. Concentrated in neighborhoods in the Bronx, Harlem, and Brooklyn, the community has built a strong presence in small business, professional practices, and civic life. Leaders say Cuomo’s outreach underscores a growing recognition of their political importance.
Former Assemblyman Michael Benjamin, who represented the district from 2003-2010, said, “Futa Islamic Center is a truly engaged mosque that has supported the community for over two decades. I’ve worked closely over the years with the mosque’s leaders to support their initiatives serving families and uplifting the South Bronx. Andrew Cuomo’s visit is a sign of respect for an important locus in the West African diaspora and an acknowledgement of Futa’s place in it”.
Ahmadou Diallo, Former Founding President of Futa Islamic Center, said, “On behalf of the Futa Islamic Center, I am honored to welcome former Governor Andrew Cuomo to our mosque. Since our founding in 1998, this center has stood as a home for prayer, education, and community for West Africans in New York City. His visit is a recognition of the contributions our community continues to make, and it strengthens the bonds of partnership and understanding between our congregation and the broader New York family”.
Public safety and education are top concerns for the community, which has worked with the NYPD to strengthen neighborhood trust while also supporting school choice and charter schools. Many African parents view education as the only pathway to success for their children.
Cuomo’s visit marks one of the highest-profile acknowledgments of the community’s influence. Observers say it reflects a broader shift in New York politics, as Africans seek greater inclusion in city decision-making and representation in leadership roles.
