Johran Mamdani, a young Muslim from Uganda, wins New York

Hakikul Islam Khokon

Zohran Mamdani, who came to New York as a child from Kampala, Uganda, was an unknown face in politics even a year ago. Now, at age 34, he is New York’s first Muslim and South Asian mayor—whose influence has spread beyond the city to all of America, even the world.
His rise as a democratic socialist was lightning fast. Youth voter activism,He created a new political genre through grassroots campaigning and humorous yet humane messages on social media.

His popular slogan ‘Life should not be so difficult’ quickly went viral. Sometimes coining the term ‘Halalflation’, sometimes pledging to jump the Coney Island cold wave or promising to stabilize rents—these make him a symbol of the politics of the younger generation.

Sudden on the subway trainA wedding scene or a comment against a fare hike while running a marathon—in these moments he becomes a representative of the common man. Last year, he released a controversial video about working-class black and immigrant voters, in which they explained why some voted for Trump or abstained.

On the other hand, when politicians like former governor Andrew Cuomo run campaigns with money from wealthy donors,Mamdani was then among the people—he even had face-to-face discussions with his critics. As a result, he became a young alternative to the ‘old politics’.

Born in Kampala, Uganda, Mamdani moved to New York with his family at the age of seven. His mother Mira Nair is a renowned filmmaker, father Mahmud Mamdani is a professor at Columbia University. While studying at the Bronx High School of Science, he formed the school’s first cricket teamdo He later completed a BA in Africana Studies at Bowdoin College and founded the ‘Students for Justice in Palestine’ chapter there. He acquired US citizenship in 2018.

Before entering politics, Mamdani worked as a community organizer and foreclosure prevention consultant. In 2020, he became the first South Asian, the first Ugandan, and the third to be elected as a representative from the 36th district of New York State.Made history as a Muslim.

In 2021, she met Syrian-born artist Rama Duaji and married at City Hall earlier this year.

After a landslide victory in the Democratic mayoral primary last June, he gradually gained the support of top Democrats, including former Vice President Kamala Harris, Gov. Kathy Hochul and Congressman Hakeem Jeffries. Small grassroots donations also boosted his campaign.

Tiktok andHe has drawn young and first-time voters into politics through policy-driven content on Instagram. His pledges—to rein in rents, improve living standards, affordable child care, accessible grocery markets and public transportation. He also proposed raising taxes on the wealthy, raising corporate taxes and city-owned grocery stores.

Mamdani campaign in the face of opposition campaign filled with racism and IslamophobiaContinued in Urdu, Hindi and Spanish—from mosques to night shift factories. Pride in Muslim identity, stance on the Gaza issue and vocal role in protecting the rights of immigrants have made him a symbol of inspiration for a new generation.

He is a point of contention for Republicans, and a dangerous new trend for the Democratic mainstream. But his policies resonated deeply with thousands of New Yorkersleft—especially among young people, who are tired of rising living costs and stagnant politics.

Meanwhile, Donald Trump’s threat to deploy the National Guard, the fear of stopping federal funding, and even the threat of Mamdani being ‘expelled’ – all in all, this election has created a historic turning point in US politics.

Mamdani’s rise as a young Muslim of the post-9/11 generation comes at a time when whiteNationalism and authoritarianism are rearing their head again in America. Yet he remained steadfast in his core message—”to make life in New York more affordable and fair, to speak out against injustice.”

Now, Zohran Mamdani is ushering in a new chapter in American politics as New York’s first Muslim and South Asian mayor. The challenges ahead are many, but the city looks on—toward a new dawn.