India, Feb. 5 -- New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani has drawn criticism after his office posted a celebratory message on World Hijab Day, calling the head covering the "identity and pride" of Muslim women, a move critics say was tone-deaf amid ongoing protests in Iran against compulsory hijab laws.

The post, shared on February 1 by the Mayor's Office of Immigrant Affairs, read: "Today, we celebrate the faith, identity, & pride of Muslim women & girls around the world who choose to wear the hijab, a powerful symbol of devotion & celebration of Muslim heritage."

The message triggered sharp reactions from activists and critics of Iran's Islamic Republic, where women have faced arrests, violence, and even death for refusing to wear the hija...