Zohran Mamdani for Mayor of the Big Apple

What does it mean to be a South Asian Muslim in America? I have wondered that since 1990, when my family and I set foot on this land from Bangladesh, and continue to do so as New York State Assemblyman Zohran Mamdani has become the frontrunner in New York City’s mayoral election.

The Gulf War was ongoing when I was in the fifth grade, and a veteran who served in Iraq was a guest speaker at my school. He provided a sanitized version of the war, while pulling out a T-shirt of Elmer Fudd, a cartoon character with a rifle, who was saying: “Be very, very quite; I am hunting Iraqis!”

Most of the children laughed, as Elmer Fudd would always hunt Bugs Bunny, but I just found this odd. I was beginning to see that not only do I look different from most of the kids in this southern suburban town, I may actually think differently as well.

My family and I would attend services at the local masjid, which was a two-bedroom rental apartment. As funds increased, a property was purchased and a two-story mosque built north of Texas A&M University, College Station, where multiple churches were already established. Alongside the ringing of bells, the azaan would also be called from the mosque’s interior. 

Fast forward to a summer morning of 2016, my local mosque experienced a drive-by shooting. Fortunately, no one was inside and therefore no injuries. Five bullets hit the entrance, breaking the glass door, damaging the shoe rack and collective psyche of masjid attendees. The following Friday, nearly 100 locals gathered for a peace rally, surrounding the mosque as a symbolic gesture of protecting the Muslims inside praying. Although the rally was highly appreciated by the Muslim community, the police and FBI investigation did not result in any arrests.

There are an estimated 4.5 million Muslims in America, according to the 2020 United States Religion Census. I have seen Muslims reach unprecedented socioeconomic heights in this land -- becoming US congress members, building million-dollar businesses, and achieving scientific breakthroughs. Despite the progress made, there are rampant anti-Islamic statements made without repercussions, and Muslims are facing increased hate crimes, as noted by the Council on American-Islamic Relations. In this scenario, to see a member of the South Asian Muslim community become a stone’s throw away from becoming mayor of the nation’s commercial capital is most certainly impressive.

Zohran Mamdani, the Ugandan-born son of Indian immigrants(filmmaker Mira Nair and Professor Mahmood Mamdani), has had a meteoric political rise, from being a relatively unknown state representative, to beating the Democratic establishment’s candidate, and winning the New York City mayoral primary election. Mr. Mamdani has interwoven his faith into his campaign, visiting mosques throughout the city, hoping for buy-in from this voting bloc. There are more than 350,000 Muslims registered to vote in New York City, according to the Council on American-Islamic Relations.

Despite facing death threats, he has continued his support for Palestinians and criticism against Israel in the ongoing conflict. This is a striking contrast to so many politicians who will stay silent on Israeli atrocities, just to preserve their status quo.

His democratic socialist proposals for free buses and childcare, in addition to a livable wage and more affordable housing, have resonated with many voters. However, these may not come to fruition, as the proposed tax increases on the wealthy and corporations would need the state legislature’s approval.

Democratic socialism is not a popular policy position in the US. With 55 percent holding a negative view of this, according to the NBC News poll in September, major media outlets often deride this as a failed policy. Despite the obstacles, his sincerity to make New York City a more livable place is worthy of applause.

If he wins, Mr. Mamdani will run a city with the economy of a midsized nation -- New York City had an approximately $1.3 trillion GDP in 2024. He would appoint the police commissioner, expand/reduce its force, and influence its tactics. This is the same New York Police Department that had a secret Demographics Unit, a spying program where informants would infiltrate mosques, monitor sermons, and catalogue Muslims. Created after September 11, the unit would track everyday activities in Muslim neighborhoods. However, none of the eavesdropping resulted in a terrorism case, and the unit was eventually disbanded. It would be a cosmic irony if as mayor Mr. Mamdani would direct the nation’s largest police force.

Ten-year-old me would see a role model in Zohran Mamdani -- someone born outside this nation, of South Asian descent and Muslim faith, winning against insurmountable odds against the billionaire class while staying true to his beliefs. The fifth-grade immigrant student would be assured that this nation can be the greatest on Earth, if it truly implements the ideals of life, liberty, and justice for all.