New York’s Muslim Mayor Breakthrough

New York City, 27 June 2025:

After defeating former governor Andrew Cuomo in the Democratic primary, Zohran Kwame Mamdani, a 33 year old Democrat of Indian descent who was born in Uganda, has made history as the presumed next mayor of New York City. 

He will be the first Muslim, Indian American, and millennial mayor of the city if he wins in November. "We have a million Muslims in this city, remember, when you go and vote, it is our opportunity to show that Muslims don't just belong in New York City, we belong in City Hall too," Mamdani said, addressing fervent supporters.

Mahmood Mamdani, the son of renowned filmmaker Mira Nair and scholar Mahmood Mamdani, was born in Kampala on October 18, 1991. When he was seven years old, his family immigrated to the United States. After graduating from Bowdoin College with a degree in Africana Studies, he worked as a housing counselor before going into politics. He has supported progressive policies like universal childcare, free city buses, and rent freezes since being elected to the New York State Assembly in 2020. But Mamdani has also caused controversy; his detractors call him a radical after he claimed at a synagogue event that "As mayor, New York City would arrest Benjamin Netanyahu if he came to New York," citing the arrest warrant issued by the International Criminal Court.

His strong pro Palestinian stance and this statement have been exploited by his opponents. Some have called his language Islamophobic, and Tennessee congressman Andy Ogles even called for his deportation based on lyrics he wrote in a rap song. Those attacks have been dismissed by Mamdani, who became a naturalized US citizen in 2018, as part of a wave of bigotry. He pledged to step up efforts to combat hate crimes and stated that he remains steadfast in his distinction between anti Zionism and antisemitism. His broad grassroots campaign is cited by supporters as proof of his popularity. Supported by prominent progressive figures such as Brad Lander, Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, and Bernie Sanders, Mamdani outperformed more established voices and received about 43% of first round votes.

Mamdani is unflinching in the face of the hate, which included a flurry of Islamophobic internet posts after he won the primary. "The diversity of our city defines us," he remarked. "Inclusion is our strength." He will run against Republican candidate Eric Adams and others in the general mayoral election on November 4. A watershed in the political landscape of New York City is set up by the historic selection of Mamdani.