NEW YORK: Defying all odds and massive opposition from US President Donald Trump, Zohran Mamdani rose to prominence today by becoming the first millennial and first Muslim to lead New York City. Scripting history, Mamdani is set to become the next governor of New York State.
Born on 18 October 1991 in Kampala, Uganda, Mamdani is the son of Ugandan scholar Mahmood Mamdani and acclaimed Indian filmmaker Mira Nair.
In an inspiring journey, he moved from Uganda to South Africa and then to New York City, where he attended the Bank Street School for Children and the Bronx High School of Science. He graduated from Bowdoin College in 2014 with a degree in Africana Studies, where he co-founded a chapter of Students for Justice in Palestine.
Mamdani showed remarkable social media skills, reinventing himself as a rising star within the party. However, his candidacy sparked an ideological clash after he faced criticism for not initially condemning the phrase “globalise the intifada”.
Although Mamdani never personally used the phrase, it became a major flashpoint in his campaign. Pro-Israel groups argued that the slogan could “incite violence against Zionists and Jews”, while pro-Palestinian activists said it represented a call for “Palestinian liberation”. Mamdani later clarified that he would not use the term himself and would discourage others from using it. However, former Governor Andrew Cuomo seized on the controversy as a key attack point during the race.
According to The Hill, Mamdani has been an outspoken critic of Israel, accusing it of committing “genocide in Gaza”. He also stated that he would have Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu arrested if he entered New York City, asserting that the city should uphold “arrest warrants issued by the International Criminal Court”.
Mamdani also faced criticism for earlier remarks calling for the police to be “defunded”. He later apologised to the New York Police Department during an interview on Fox News, clarifying his stance and seeking to ease tensions.
He faced strong opposition from President Trump, who followed the race closely and dismissed Mamdani, calling him a communist.
Mamdani’s bold and progressive ideas made him popular among left-leaning voters but also caused divisions within the Democratic Party, with some leaders unsure about supporting him.
Agencies