Zohran Mamdani makes history — and strikes a chord among Muslims, South Asians

Democratic candidate Zohran Mamdani’s projected victory as New York Metropolis’s first Muslim and South Asian mayor marks a historic second, that might provoke these communities, some voters and specialists inform ABC Information.

“It’s going to make a giant distinction for our individuals — South Indians, Muslims, people who find themselves immigrants like me. They may also suppose … there’s a spot for them on this nation,” Asif Mahmood, a Democratic bundler who helped fundraise for Hillary Clinton and Kamala Harris and ran for Congress himself, informed ABC Information forward of Election Day.

Some Democratic strategists have pointed out that South Asian and Arab Muslims within the U.S., a lot of whom immigrated post-1965, have traditionally not been invested in politics. Asian-Individuals usually have additionally been underrepresented in polling and analysis, even in latest election years, ABC Information beforehand reported.

However Mamdani’s catapult into the nationwide highlight might assist flip the tide, with members of these communities mobilizing in massive numbers on his behalf all through his marketing campaign.

In actual fact, South Asian voter turnout within the 2025 NYC main election elevated by about 40% in comparison with the 2021 main, in response to knowledge from analysis agency L2 offered to ABC Information.

“This has created a lot curiosity,” Mahmood mentioned, saying that South Asians and Muslims are “positively participating extra” in New York politics. He did, nevertheless, categorical considerations over how lengthy the participation will final, and mentioned he was “actual skeptical” that such vitality will translate to different candidates sooner or later.

The emphasis on a candidate’s id was notably heightened on this race — one thing that has been embraced by Mamdani’s marketing campaign and supporters, however attacked by his opponents.

Born in Uganda, Mamdani is a Muslim of Indian descent who has lived in america since he was seven years outdated earlier than changing into a naturalized citizen in 2018.

“This marketing campaign has woke up one thing highly effective in New York’s South Asian and Muslim communities — a way of visibility, satisfaction, and political belonging that’s been denied for generations,” Dora Pekec, a spokesperson for Mamdani, informed ABC in a press release.

Vishvajit Singh, a storyteller and artist who has lived in NYC for ten years, informed ABC Information previous to Election Day that “the thrill to vote is actual, even past the South Asian group.”

“Each supporters and critics of his candidacy stand to learn — his rise might open extra alternatives for South Asians (‘desis’) in U.S. governance,” Singh mentioned, including that Mamdani’s victory will “encourage youngsters of brown and even Hispanic backgrounds to consider massive governmental positions.”

Raza Ahmad Rumi, a coverage analyst and lecturer at Metropolis College of New York initially from Pakistan, informed ABC how Mamdani’s rise “displays a generational shift in New York politics.”

“His charisma and reference to individuals — together with help from white and Jewish youth — present that his enchantment goes far past id,” Rumi mentioned.

Mamdani’s impression seems to transcend past the Massive Apple, reaching group members throughout the nation and abroad.

“I do not know a single South Asian — and I do know lots of South Asians — who would not learn about this race occurring,” Mahmood, who relies in California, mentioned.

Dr. Naomi Inexperienced, assistant-secretary normal for the Muslims Council of Britain, informed ABC Information that Mamdani’s “broad help throughout New York and past is proof that folks worth justice and inclusion over prejudice.” In 2016, London made historical past when the town elected its first Muslim mayor.

Ushering in NYC’s first Muslim mayor marks a big milestone in a spot that has skilled longstanding Islamophobia, particularly following the lethal 9/11 terrorist assaults that occurred within the metropolis.

The darkish day in NYC was repeatedly talked about within the run-up to Election Day, with Mamdani accusing his opponent, former New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo, of participating in Islamophobic rhetoric regarding him and 9/11.

Cuomo has pushed back on these accusations, arguing that Mamdani was being divisive and falsely alleging Islamophobia. Chatting with Fox Information simply days earlier than the election, Cuomo accused Mamdani of “enjoying the race card” and making an attempt to win voters on the premise of his id.

Mahmood informed ABC that such commentary really helped Mamdani by fueling voter anger towards his opponents.

However not all South Asians are captivated with Mamdani. In October, Cuomo launched a “South Asians for Cuomo” coalition that rallied across the Impartial candidate over Mamdani.

The Indian group has seen specific divide, with some criticizing Mamdani’s financial insurance policies and even accusing him of being anti-Hindu, pointing to his past remarks about Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi. 

The Mamdani marketing campaign didn’t instantly reply to a request for touch upon these anti-Hindu accusations. A marketing campaign adviser informed the New York Times that Mamdani rejects anti-Hindu rhetoric, and identified that his mom is Hindu.

Fahad Solaiman, member of Jackson Heights Bangladeshi Enterprise Growth Affiliation and Neighborhood Board, informed ABC that he takes subject with feasibility of Mamdani’s guarantees, calling them “unrealistic.” 

“We’re hardworking individuals. There are such a lot of South Asian Individuals in public workplace now — even the FBI Director is South Asian. However the issue is not who’s in workplace; it is the sort of guarantees being made. [Mamdani] overpromises always,” Solaiman mentioned.

Mamdani has additionally obtained backlash from some members of the Jewish group, with over 1,000 rabbis nationwide signing a letter decrying his rhetoric on Israel. 

Mamdani’s victory because the Democratic candidate additionally comes throughout a time of declining Democratic help amongst Indian-Individuals nationwide. The Carnegie Endowment for American Peace found much less Indian-Individuals voting blue in 2024 in comparison with 2020, even with former Vice President Harris, a Black and Indian lady, on the high of the Democratic ticket.

A latest Pew Analysis Heart report additionally famous shrinking Muslim help for Democrats, with 42% of Muslims figuring out with or leaning Republican in 2024, in contrast to 13% of Muslims figuring out or leaning Republican in 2017.

Mahmood emphasised that Mamdani’s id doesn’t outline his candidacy.

“He is not going to make his mayorship [about being] a Muslim mayor, however he is mayor, and he occurs to be Muslim,” Mahmood mentioned. “He is mayor, he occurs to be South Asian.”