Zohran Mamdani’s win ignites jubilation among Muslims New Yorkers
(MENAFN) Muslim New Yorkers celebrated Tuesday evening after Zohran Mamdani won the mayoral race in New York City, becoming the first Muslim and South Asian to hold the position.
Mamdani, 34, a Democratic Socialist and state legislator from Queens, defeated independent former governor Andrew Cuomo and Republican Curtis Sliwa in what analysts are calling one of the city’s most remarkable political upsets in recent years.
With more than half of the votes counted and a record turnout exceeding two million ballots, Mamdani’s win sparked festivities in neighborhoods such as Astoria in Queens, where his grassroots campaign began.
For many Muslim residents, the victory carries profound emotional significance.
“I am very excited about this election,” said Zamzam Ali, a Brooklyn resident, during a celebration outside a Yemeni cafe in Astoria. “Zohran Mamdani embodies the universal struggles that the general population of a city strive for -- better living conditions, fair pay, affordable price and rent and equality for all.”
Ali added that Mamdani’s success resonates personally as well. “Muslims have really struggled and been victims of discrimination in America since 9/11,” he said. “So, to see a Muslim become the mayor of the very city in which Muslims were blamed for all kinds of crimes and accused of terrorism -- it’s phenomenal.”
Mamdani’s campaign focused on affordability and social justice, promising initiatives such as rent freezes, free public transit, universal childcare, and city-operated grocery stores. He has also suggested raising the minimum wage to $30 per hour by 2030 and increasing taxes on corporations and millionaires to fund these programs.
Faizah, 31, who chose to use only her first name, expressed optimism about Mamdani’s proposals. “As a teacher, I think that he has a lot of good policies with moving the funding so that teachers and parents can actually put more of their emphasis on to education,” she said. “Rent is pretty insane in New York City, so freezing the rent is a big deal. I think he’s for the people.”
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