Zohran Mamdani becomes New York’s first Muslim mayor

Zohran Kwame Mamdani, a 34-year-old Democratic Socialist from Queens, has been elected as the first Muslim mayor of New York City on the 4^th of November, marking a historic shift in the city’s political landscape, reports Middle East Eye and agencies.

Once regarded as a long-shot contender, Mamdani’s campaign gained momentum after his Democratic primary victory in June 2025, positioning him as the frontrunner in the general election. His platform centered on rent control, free public bus travel, and increased taxation on the city’s wealthiest residents — a message that resonated with working-class voters facing mounting costs of living.

Andrew Cuomo, who ran as an Independent after losing the Democratic primary, had attempted a political comeback backed by over $40 million in donations, much of it from pro-Israel political action committees.

At an election night celebration at the Brooklyn Paramount Theatre, Mamdani told supporters, “Tonight, against all odds, we have grasped it. The future is in our hands. We have toppled a political dynasty.”

Despite their deep ideological divisions, figures across New York’s political spectrum found rare common ground in their opposition to Zohran Mamdani. Both Andrew Cuomo, a historic Democrat who ran as an independent, and Republican challenger Curtis Sliwa sought to portray Mamdani’s “soft socialism” as a threat to the city’s economic stability.

Born in Uganda to Indian parents, Mamdani’s election breaks multiple barriers. When he is sworn in on 1 January 2026, he will lead a city of 8.5 million people — one of the most diverse and influential urban centers in the world. According to the City Board of Elections, more than two million people participated in this election, the highest turnout in over half a century.

Mamdani’s unapologetically pro-Palestinian stance became a defining feature of his campaign. Despite accusations of antisemitism from political opponents, data indicates that his position on Israel’s actions in Gaza helped consolidate support among younger and progressive voters. Advocacy groups such as the Council on American-Islamic Relations described his victory as a “historic turning point for American Muslim political engagement,” noting it as a rejection of Islamophobia and anti-Palestinian sentiment in U.S. politics.

Throughout the campaign, Mamdani faced a barrage of attacks targeting his faith and background. Cuomo’s campaign released Islamophobic ads questioning his Muslim identity, and prominent Republican figures called for his deportation. According to the Center for the Study of Organized Hate, Islamophobic rhetoric about Mamdani on social media surged by 450 percent in the months leading up to the election.

Despite this, Mamdani’s grassroots campaign proved decisive. His campaign reported more than three million door-knocks across the five boroughs, and his viral social media videos, often filmed in working-class neighborhoods and delivered in multiple languages, helped him connect with a broad spectrum of voters.

Political analyst Hank Sheinkopf said Mamdani’s success reflects the city’s changing demographics and appetite for new leadership. “He represents an economic and cultural shift that’s real,” Sheinkopf noted. “This is the face of New York’s future.”

Middle East Eye and agencies, Maghrebi.org