Mamdani’s Win Marks Milestone for Muslim New Yorkers

Zohran Mamdani

Zohran Mamdani has made history as the first Muslim and South Asian mayor-elect of New York City, marking a defining moment for communities long underrepresented in the city’s political leadership. His victory comes in a city with the largest Muslim population in the United States and one still contending with the lingering effects of post-9/11 discrimination.

Mamdani’s campaign centered on affordability, workers’ rights and economic fairness. He expanded the voter base by engaging communities often overlooked in citywide politics, organizing outreach in Urdu, Arabic and Bangla, and visiting more than 50 mosques to build trust and dialogue.

His connection with working-class New Yorkers was a cornerstone of his message. Mamdani visited airport taxi drivers on night shifts — many of whom share his South Asian Muslim background — and had previously joined their hunger strike in 2021 to demand debt relief. He also used relatable messaging, including viral videos shot at halal food carts, and grounded his campaign in neighbourhoods like Jackson Heights.

His strong support for Palestinian human rights became more visible as public attitudes shifted. However, the final weeks of the campaign were marked by Islamophobic rhetoric from political opponents and commentators, prompting concern among many supporters. In response, Mamdani delivered a widely shared speech addressing the prejudice he faced, recalling personal experiences growing up after 9/11 and highlighting the persistence of anti-Muslim bias.

He emphasised that his goal was to represent all New Yorkers, not only the Muslim community, but noted that many Muslims still struggle for equal treatment in daily life.

“The dream of every Muslim is simply to be treated the same as any other New Yorker,” Mamdani said. “For too long, we have been told to expect less. No more.”