Sheikh Haque, 33, of Buffalo, entered the Muslim Center of New York in Queens during Friday prayers on July 3, brandishing what appeared to be a firearm around 1:30 p.m., police said. Congregants tackled Haque to the ground with help from an off-duty MTA worker, a cab driver, and an off-duty NYPD officer until authorities arrived. The weapon turned out to be a BB pistol. No shots were fired and no one was injured.
Haque was charged with weapons possession and menacing. Police have not filed hate crime charges, and investigators have not publicly identified a motive. Reports emerged that Haque himself may be Muslim, raising questions about the initial characterization of the incident as an anti-Muslim attack.
Within hours of the incident, Democratic elected officials rushed to frame the episode as an act of bigotry against Muslims. Mayor Zohran Mamdani posted on X that a "terrifying situation" had unfolded for "Muslim New Yorkers," thanking bystanders who intervened and declaring that "every New Yorker should be able to observe their religion without fear or intimidation."
What the Right Is Saying
Critics online accused Mamdani and other officials of exploiting the incident for political messaging before basic facts were established. Commentators pointed out that Haque's religious identity had not been confirmed by authorities when Democratic leaders began calling for unity against Islamophobia.
"The guy with the gun was also Muslim," wrote one social media user. "Convenient fact to leave out." Others questioned why officials had not shared details about the suspect before issuing public statements, and suggested the episode reflected a pattern of rushing to label incidents as hate crimes based on the identity of alleged victims rather than evidence.
The controversy follows separate political disputes over Mamdani's stance on Israel. Earlier this year, he compared the Jewish state to Saudi Arabia regarding religious freedom, drawing criticism from those who argued he was ignoring protections for minorities in Israel while focusing scrutiny elsewhere.
What the Left Is Saying
New York Attorney General Letitia James called the incident "horrific under any circumstances" and urged New Yorkers to "stand united against Islamophobia." Her statement on X read: "Today, a masked individual reached into his pocket to pull out what appeared to be a deadly weapon during Friday Prayers at the Muslim Center. This is horrific under any circumstances, especially when a community is joining in prayer."
Rep. Grace Meng, a Democrat representing Queens, echoed similar concerns about the targeting of a house of worship. Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer said he was troubled by what he called another possible attack targeting a religious institution.
Mamdani has made fighting Islamophobia a signature issue since taking office, arguing that anti-Muslim bigotry receives insufficient scrutiny in American politics. "I think there's an unabashed nature to it," he said in past remarks. "And what is remarkable about Islamophobia and anti-Muslim bigotry is not that it is bigoted... it is that there are very few who speak up in opposition to it."
What the Numbers Show
Haque faces two charges: weapons possession and menacing. Police have not filed hate crime charges as of Sunday. The Queens Criminal Court arraignment remained pending.
The Muslim Center of New York serves a large congregation in Queens, one of New York City's most ethnically diverse boroughs. No official estimates of how many worshippers were present during the incident have been released by police.
The Bottom Line
The episode illustrates the political risks for elected officials who respond quickly to incidents involving minority communities. Investigators have not publicly identified what motivated Haque or whether the attack was connected to any sectarian conflict within the Muslim community, and authorities have not confirmed his religious background.
As of Sunday evening, Haque's arraignment in Queens Criminal Court had not yet taken place. Police have not announced whether they expect to file additional charges.