Adams Condemns Mamdani's Plan to Decriminalize Prostitution: 'Where in the Quran Does It Say That?'

Mayor Adams Criticizes Mamdani’s Stance on Prostitution Decriminalization

Mayor Eric Adams has strongly criticized mayoral candidate Zohran Mamdani for his long-standing advocacy to decriminalize prostitution, questioning how someone who identifies as religiously guided could support sex work. Adams emphasized that he and Mamdani both claim to be people of faith, but he finds it difficult to reconcile Mamdani's position with the principles of religion.

“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,” Adams said during a press conference. He added, “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, which is Mamdani’s religion, prohibits prostitution under its laws of morality. Adams’ comments came after The Post highlighted Mamdani’s past efforts to change the statute that makes it a crime for individuals to sell their bodies for sex in New York.

A History of Advocacy for Legalizing Sex Work

Mamdani has consistently supported the decriminalization of prostitution since running for state assembly in 2020. However, he has remained relatively quiet on the issue since launching his mayoral campaign. This silence has raised concerns among critics that Mamdani might push for legalizing prostitution if he wins the election in the fall.

Adams expressed his concern about this possibility, arguing that Mamdani is out of touch with the realities of sex work and the associated crimes. He pointed out that sex trafficking is closely linked to prostitution and warned that legalizing it would undermine efforts to reduce crime in the city.

“You’re not doing any service to a woman who is on the street who is forced to sell her body for whatever reason,” Adams said. “No one should be on our streets selling their bodies. No one.”

Arguments for and Against Legalization

Supporters of legalized sex work argue that it could make prostitutes less vulnerable to violence from clients, pimps, and even law enforcement. However, studies in places where it has been legalized, such as Nevada and some European countries, have shown spikes in human trafficking to meet the demand for sex workers. These areas also experience an increase in other forms of organized crime tied to the industry.

Mamdani has co-sponsored several bills that aim to legalize prostitution across New York state while serving as a Queens assemblyman. Although he would need to go through the state legislature to pass a law, if elected mayor, he would have significant influence in advocating for the change and potentially deprioritizing prostitution enforcement by the NYPD.

Some fear that New York could become a hub for sex tourism, similar to Amsterdam’s Red Light District, if Mamdani’s policies are implemented. Adams, who is running for reelection against Mamdani as an independent, has voiced his opposition to this idea.

“If that is his belief, it is a danger for our city,” Adams said. “Our city needs to be a safe city. It should not be a city where women are standing on corners, or boys are standing on corners, or young men standing on corners selling their bodies.”

Response from Mamdani’s Campaign

In response to Adams’ criticism, a Mamdani campaign representative did not explicitly state whether Mamdani still supports decriminalizing prostitution. However, they took issue with Adams’ budget decisions, pointing out that he cut over $3 million in funding from Safe Horizon, an organization that supports victims of crimes related to sex trafficking and prostitution.

“As Mayor, Zohran will prioritize genuine public safety for all, including investing $40M through his Department of Community Safety towards victims services,” the spokesperson said in a statement.