New York City Council Member Shahana Hanif Introduces Bill to Include Middle Eastern & North African Local Business Owners in NYC’s M/WBE Program : Legislation requires the City to Study Contracting Disparities for Middle Eastern and North African Businesses, paving the way to expanded M/WBE eligibility

USANewsOnline.Com, New York : On Thursday, October 10th, Council Member Shahana Hanif introduced Intro 1076, a bill that will pave the way to expand M/WBE program eligibility for Middle Eastern and North African local business owners. The bill was co-prime sponsored by Majority Leader Amanda Farias, Council Contracts Chair Julie Won, and Council Members Tiffany Cabán, Julie Menin, Kamillah Hanks, Yusef Salaam, Lincoln Restler, Alexa Avilés, and Oswald Feliz.

The bill would require the City’s next Minority and Women-Owned Business Enterprises (M/WBE) disparity study to research whether Middle Eastern and North African (MENA)- owned businesses are underrepresented in New York City government contracts. If such disparities were found, MENA-owned businesses would become eligible for M/WBE certification, improving access to contracting opportunities.
Currently, Middle Eastern and North African (MENA) Americans are considered “White” under the U.S. Census due to the complicated history of racial classification. As such, local businesses owned by MENA New Yorkers are unable to get M/WBE certification, making it harder for them to access government contracts. Last year, the City awarded over $6 billion to M/WBE firms.
The bill would expand opportunities for MENA-owned businesses by establishing distinct contracting goals for MENA-owned businesses as the program does for businesses owned by Black, Latino, Asian, and Native Americans, without competing against these other businesses to meet these contracting goals. This legislative effort builds on state legislation recently passed by Senator Michael Gianaris and Assembly Member González-Rojas to create a new MENA racial category on government forms. This bill is currently awaiting Governor Hochul’s signature.
Earlier this afternoon, Council Member Hanif hosted a rally outside of City Hall in support of the bill with state and city elected officials, MENA business owners, and community advocates. See photos from the rally here.
“For far too long, Middle Eastern and North African (MENA) communities have been misclassified as ‘White,’ which has denied them equal access to contracting opportunities in our City,” said Council Member Shahana Hanif (D39). “I’m proud to introduce Intro 1075 at today’s Stated Meeting, which would require the City to investigate whether MENA-owned businesses are underrepresented in New York City government contracts as part of its next disparity study. If a disparity is found, this bill would make MENA-owned businesses eligible for M/WBE certification. This legislation aims to correct this injustice and ensure that MENA communities are recognized and included in our City’s M/WBE program.”
“Every community deserves to be properly seen, counted, and uplifted,” said Council Member Tiffany Cabán (D22). “I am grateful for Council Member Hanif’s bill to properly research if Middle Eastern and North African (MENA) owned businesses are appropriately represented in New York City government contracts. I stand in solidarity with our partners at MALIKAH who are building power for the MENA community and building a better future for us all. District 22 is home to a thriving Middle Eastern and North African Community that uplifts us every day, and it’s our responsibility to ensure they are fully seen and empowered. This bill will increase transparency in our city government and open doors to economic opportunities that have formerly been closed.”
“Middle Eastern and North African (MENA) communities have long been excluded from the support systems designed to uplift minority and women-owned businesses in New York City,” said Council Member Yusef Salaam (D9). “This bill is a necessary step toward rectifying this oversight and ensuring that members of the MENA community have the appropriate access to our city’s services. I stand proudly with Council Member Hanif and my colleagues in supporting this critical legislation to help MENA business owners thrive and contribute even more to our great city.”
“Miscategorizing a New Yorker’s race is not only offensive but has real-world impacts on services and resources particular communities receive,” said State Senate Deputy Leader Michael Gianaris (D12), who authored the State Bill to properly categorize MENA communities. “I am proud to play my part for this cause so New York’s Middle Eastern and North African communities can be properly recognized and receive the dignity they deserve.”
“I’m proud to join the launch of this legislation by this coalition and Council Member Shahana Hanif,” said Assembly Member Jessica González-Rojas (D34). “MENA communities deserve to be counted and their needs understood by government. By now, we’ve celebrated the passage of my bill at the state level to disaggregate the data of these New Yorkers so state institutions can better serve them. But it has yet to be signed into law. There is no reason for these delays. The longer we wait, the longer we delay important resources and support to communities that need it most. Today we are calling on Governor Hochul to sign the MENA bill and take the step to move us closer to a more equitable society. Enacting this bill means Middle Eastern and North African (MENA) communities will have greater access to the services and resources they need to live dignified lives. And we urge the City Council to swiftly consider Council Member Hanif’s bill. For far too long, MENA New Yorkers have missed out and have been looked over for support, including healthcare and business resources. We can’t wait any longer. Let’s get this done.”
“As we advocate for the inclusion of Middle Eastern and North African communities in New York City’s data, we recognize that true equity starts with visibility,” said Rana Abdelhamid, Executive Director of Malikah. “Our communities deserve to be counted, understood, and empowered. By supporting Councilmember Hanif’s bill to incorporate the MENA category in the MWBE business disparity study, we are not just seeking acknowledgment; we are opening doors to economic opportunities that have long been closed. Together, we can ensure that every New Yorker, regardless of their background, is seen and has a chance to thrive.”
“Recognizing Middle Eastern and North African (MENA) communities in our demographic data isn’t just about identity—it’s about equity,” said Husein Yatabarry, Executive Director of Muslim Community Network (MCN). “Proper identification enables access to Minority and Women-owned Business Enterprise (MWBE) programs that have been out of reach due to misclassification. MENA New Yorkers have been excluded from resources vital for business growth. This legislation is key to correcting that and ensuring they contribute fully to New York City’s economy. We must move beyond outdated classifications and embrace policies that reflect our city’s true diversity, benefiting both MENA communities and the broader New York community.”
“For too long, our invisibility and misclassification has meant inadequate representation and inequitable resource allocation,” said Christine Serdjenian, Armenian American Action Network. “ This bill will rectify that by finally recognizing and including our MENA communities in the data, thereby ensuring equitable access to resources and opportunities. It has the potential to enable our MENA businesses to expand and grow, positively contributing to the economy statewide.”
“The bill being introduced by CM Hanif to add the MENA category to the MWBE disparity study is a monumental step forward for the Yemeni community and all MENA communities in New York City,” said Youssef Mubarez, Director of Public Relations at Yemeni American Merchants Association. “It acknowledges the significant contributions Yemeni Small businesses have made while addressing the unique challenges we face. By ensuring representation in this critical study, we are granting opportunities for growth and empowerment to the community that needs it and paving the way for a more inclusive and equitable future.”
“Arab Americans and other Middle Eastern and North Africans in New York City have been historically excluded from the M/WBE program despite evidence of socioeconomic disadvantage,” said Hizam Wahib, Assistant Executive Director of the Arab-American Family Support Center. “This unjust oversight perpetuates disparities by denying us equitable access to government contracts and business growth. We must do better to ensure equitable opportunity for MENA communities in New York City.”
“As leaders of the push for stronger data disaggregation in New York, CACF has seen how Middle Eastern and North African New Yorkers are too often unable to access economic and small business opportunities because of the way these communities are counted in New York City data,” said Anita Gundanna and Vanessa Leung, Co-Executive Directors of the Coalition for Asian American Children and Families (CACF). As a proud member of the MENA NY Coalition, we join the coalition’s call for City Council to support Councilmember Hanif’s bill to include the Middle Eastern and North African (MENA) category in the MWBE business disparity study.”
“This bill will lead to the opening up of new opportunities for the MENA community while ensuring that all MENA New Yorkers are seen in New York City data,” said Jeemin Cha, Data Policy Coordinator, Coalition for Asian American Children and Families (CACF).
“The introduction of this bill is a great step forward for our communities and will help New Yorkers better understand the needs of MENA women business owners,” said Maryam Khaldi, Coalition Organizer at Arab American Association of New York. “For too long, our voices have been overlooked, our needs unrecognized. This bill will bring us one step closer to justice, visibility, and equity for our communities. It will ensure that we are seen, heard, and supported in New York State.”
“We at Emgage are thrilled to see this disparity study come to fruition,” said Dr. Debbie Almontaser, Senior Advisor at Emgage. “According to a 2016 report from Muslims for American Progress, there are over 100,000 businesses owned by Muslim Americans, of which half are Arab American-owned. Unfortunately in New York City, they are currently still excluded from eligibility for MWBE certification and socially and/or economically disadvantaged in the NYC procurement processes. A disparity study continues to be a campaign ask of all local and state candidates, and we ask them now to deliver on their promise to our community to level the playing field for business owners from the MENA community.”
“MENA women deserve recognition as minority women and should have the right to certify as Minority and Women-Owned Business Enterprises (MWBEs),” said Somia El-Rowmeim, CEO & Founder of the Women’s Empowerment Coalition of NYC. “Acknowledging their unique challenges and contributions is essential for fostering a truly inclusive economy. It is vital to empower all women, particularly those from underrepresented backgrounds, to ensure equitable access to resources and opportunities that support their entrepreneurial success.”
Today’s press conference featured the following speakers: Council Members Shahana Hanif, Julie Won, Tiffany Cabán; Assembly Member Jessica González-Rojas; State Senate Deputy Leader Michael Gianaris; Executive Director and Founder of Malikah, Rana Abdelhamid; Dr. Debbie Almontaser, Senior Advisor at Emgage; Youssef Mubarez, Director of Public Relations, YAMA Action; Christine Serdjenian, Armenian American Action Network; Husein Yatabarry, Executive Director of Muslim Community Network (MCN); Somia El-Rowmeim, CEO & Founder of the Women’s Empowerment Coalition of NYC (WECNYC).
Organizations in attendance included: Malikah, Arab American Association of New York, Arab-American Family Support Center, Muslim Community Network, Women’s Empowerment Coalition of NYC (WECNYC), YAMA Action, Armenian American Action Network, Emgage, Coalition for Asian American Children and Families (CACF) and others. Press release.