Kathy Hochul Faces Backlash for Wearing Hijab at Islamic Centers

New York Governor Kathy Hochul faced criticism from Republican lawmakers and conservative commentators after wearing a hijab during visits to the Islamic Cultural Center of New York in Queens and an Islamic Cultural School in the Bronx. During a Friday Jummah prayer service in Queens, Hochul described the head covering as a "standard gesture of respect" and thanked Kuwait's permanent representative to the United Nations, Tareq Albanai, for the welcome. In the Bronx, she used the visit to deliver statements against Islamophobia.

Republican Nassau County Executive Bruce Blakeman and Senator Ted Cruz characterized the gesture as political pandering, specifically noting that the events occurred less than two weeks before the 25th anniversary of the September 11 terrorist attacks. Other critics, including U.S. Representative Brandon Gill and activist Riley Gaines, argued that wearing the headscarf contradicts feminist principles and symbolizes a patriarchy. This incident follows a similar controversy in July 2025 when Hochul wore a headscarf to the funeral of NYPD Detective Didarul Islam.

The Islamic Cultural Center of New York praised the visit as a meaningful recognition of the center's role as a community partner. The backlash comes amid a tight gubernatorial race, with recent polling showing Hochul leading Blakeman by four points. Reports indicate the visits are part of a broader Democratic Party effort to strengthen political alliances with immigrants from Islamic backgrounds, noting that other Democratic politicians have similarly worn hijabs during community visits.