Mamdani poised to become first Muslim NYC mayor
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WASHINGTON: A 34year-old Muslim, South Asianheritage candidate who identifies as a democratic socialist appeared poised to become mayor of New York City, a global symbol of diversity and immigrant influence.
By noon on Tuesday, about 1.2 million people, including early voters, had cast ballots to decide the hotly contested race between Zohran Mamdani, former governor Andrew M. Cuomo, and Curtis Sliwa.
Polls will close in the Big Apple at 9pm.
“The outcome has the potential to reshape the longstanding power structures in the city and to send a message nationally about the direction of the Democratic Party after its disastrous defeat in the presidential election last year,” The New York Times noted.
“It comes amid a collision of local and national forces, including escalating deportation campaigns, increasing political polarization, and economic angst over the cost of living.”
Voters described the stakes in stark terms. Nicholas Romano told the NYT, “The polarisation is massive. I’m looking for someone trying to bring us more to the centre.”
Another voter, Mabintou Bagayoko, said, “I’m very anti the anti-Islamic rhetoric that’s being pushed on him right now, especially coming from a Muslim background.”
Mamdani has drawn strong support from Muslim and South Asian communities, particularly in Queens neighborhoods such as Flushing and Corona, where his heritage and outreach resonated.
Speaking to a crowd, he said: “The dream of every Muslim is simply to be treated as any other New Yorker … I will not change who I am, how I eat, or the faith that I’m proud to call my own … I will no longer look for myself in the shadows. I will find myself in the light.”
He has also energised younger voters, many of whom face high rents, soaring living costs, and disillusionment with the old political order. At a major rally, Mamdani told supporters: “There are millions of New Yorkers who have strong feelings about what happens overseas. I am one of them, and I will not abandon my beliefs or my commitments grounded in a demand for equality.”
Mamdani’s campaign proposals are ambitious: they include freezing rents for one million rentstabilized apartments, making city buses farefree, building 200,000 affordable homes, launching city-run grocery stores across boroughs, and taxing the wealthy and corporations to fund these changes. He also proposes ending sole mayoral control of public schools in favour of “cogovernance”.
A defining feature of the race has been Mamdani’s stance on the war in Gaza. He has condemned Israel’s military campaign while calling for a cease-fire, saying: “It is cruel, it is indiscriminate, it is limitless, it is criminal killing of civilians. These are the conclusions I’ve come to.” On Israel’s right to exist, he added: “Yes, like all nations, I believe it has a right to exist — and a responsibility also to uphold international law.”
Polling indicates his positions resonate with younger, progressive voters and immigrant communities, though they have drawn criticism from opponents and pro-Israel groups.
His closest rival, former Governor Cuomo, has attacked Mamdani’s experience and political philosophy: “This country is not a socialist country. This city is not a socialist city. The state is not a socialist state. Socialism has never worked anywhere on the globe. Not Venezuela, not Cuba. It’s not going to work in New York City.”
President Donald Trump also weighed in, warning that federal funding could be affected if Mamdani wins. Mamdani responded firmly: “We will continue to receive funding from the federal government, and it’s not because of President Trump’s generosity. That’s because it is the law.”
Halfway through election day, even the conservative-leaning New York Post acknowledged Mamdani’s lead — a notable shift from an earlier report, m underlining 20 reaso s for rejecting Mamdani. This highlighted the growing momentum of his campaign across diverse voter blocs.
Polling shows Mamdani gaining ground in Queens, Brooklyn, and the Bronx, communities with large immigrant populations. Turnout among voters under 35 is higher than in past mayoral contests. Complaints about long lines and polling logistics have emerged, but officials reported the process remained orderly.
Published in Dawn, November 5th, 2025
