Muslim mayor now leads America’s largest city

This is Zohran Mamdani, the first Muslim mayor in New York City’s history. He celebrated his victory with his family under the sounds of a popular Indian film soundtrack.

A 34-year-old Democratic socialist elected from Queens, Mamdani quickly rose from relative obscurity to national prominence after announcing his candidacy for mayor. His bold, left-leaning platform energized progressive voters, shook up the Democratic Party, and drew sharp criticism from former President Donald Trump and other Republicans.

Unlike his more experienced rivals, Mamdani’s youth, fresh perspective, and progressive agenda resonated with younger voters, winning their confidence and support.

Born in Uganda, Mamdani moved to New York with his family at the age of seven. He graduated from Bronx High School and later studied African studies at Bowdoin College, where he co-founded the campus chapter of the student group “Students for Palestinian Justice.”

Throughout his campaign, Mamdani openly expressed his Muslim faith, regularly attending mosques and even releasing an election video in Urdu addressing the city’s cost-of-living crisis.

His father, Mahmoud Mamdani, is a professor at Columbia University, and his mother, Mira Nair, is a renowned filmmaker; both are Harvard alumni. Zohran’s life partner is 27-year-old Syrian artist Rama Duwaji, whom he met through a dating app.

Before entering politics, Mamdani was active in music and performed under the stage names “Young Cardamom” and “Mr. Cardamom.” He continues to receive minor royalties from his earlier works. In 2020, he was elected to the New York State Assembly from Queens, temporarily pausing his music career.

Mamdani also served as a housing advisor in Queens, helping low-income residents navigate legal processes to retain their homes.

While focusing on city safety and housing affordability like his rivals, Mamdani’s proposals introduce new and potentially radical approaches for New York, including:

•  Freezing rent prices
•  Eliminating fares on New York City buses
•  Offering free childcare for children from six weeks to five years old, alongside higher pay for childcare workers
•  Establishing city-owned grocery stores to lower prices for residents

To fund these initiatives, Mamdani has proposed raising the corporate tax rate to 11.5%, generating an estimated $5 billion, and introducing a 2% tax on New Yorkers earning over $1 million annually.

As the new leader of a city with over 8 million residents and a $115 billion budget, Mamdani is poised to make his mark on the international stage.

Mamdani is also outspoken on foreign policy, particularly regarding Israel and Palestine. As an assembly member, he sponsored legislation to revoke tax-exempt status for some New York charities linked to Israeli settlements, arguing that Israel has committed genocide in Gaza, operates an apartheid system, and that Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu should be held accountable—claims that Israel strongly rejects.