New York City Mayor Eric Adams took sharp aim at mayoral candidate Zohran Mamdani’s record on prostitution legalization, questioning how a self-described man of faith could ever support sex work. Adams told reporters, “I can’t be more clear. I’m a man of God, just as Mamdani says he’s a Muslim. I don’t know where in his Quran it states that it’s okay for a woman to be on the streets selling their body.”
The mayor doubled down, saying, “I don’t know what Quran he is reading. It’s not in my Bible. As a man who said he is of faith, I don’t quite understand what religion supports prostitution.” Islam explicitly prohibits prostitution, yet Mamdani has sponsored multiple bills in Albany seeking to decriminalize it and could use the mayor’s office to deprioritize enforcement.
Critics warn that legalizing prostitution would fuel crime, human trafficking, and sex tourism in New York. Adams pointed out the dangers, stating, “I think he’s lost on the fact that sex trafficking is very much part of prostitution. We are trying to bring down crime and he is talking about legalizing sex work.”
The mayor added, “No one should be on our streets selling their bodies. No one.” He argued that Mamdani’s agenda would transform New York into a hub resembling Amsterdam’s Red Light District, eroding public safety.
In contrast, Mamdani’s campaign avoided addressing his past support directly, instead accusing Adams of budget cuts. Still, Adams made his warning clear: “If that is his belief, it is a danger for our city. Our city needs to be a safe city.”
