'History was made': Arab, Muslim Americans welcome Mamdani's New York mayor win

Muslim and Arab American figures are elated after Zohran Mamdani's victory in the New York mayoral election on Tuesday, in a win that will see the 34-year-old become the city’s first-ever Muslim, South Asian, and millennial mayor.

Politicians, media personalities, and civil society groups welcomed Mamdani’s election, who, throughout his campaign, was subject to racist and Islamophobic rhetoric as well as antisemitism accusations over his criticism of Israel and support of the Palestinian cause.

The Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR) congratulated Mamdani, as well as the city’s residents - including its sizeable Muslim population - for electing the socialist candidate.

"The election of New York City’s first Muslim mayor represents a historic turning point for American Muslim political engagement. Mayor-Elect Mamdani’s ability to win while openly advocating for Palestinian human rights and experiencing a barrage of anti-Muslim hate also makes a historic rebuke of both Islamophobia and anti-Palestinian racism in politics," CAIR said in a statement.

"Regardless of whether anyone agrees with Mayor-Elect Mamdani’s stances on various policy issues, all Americans should celebrate our nation for once again showing that America is a place where people of all races, faiths, and backgrounds can make history."

Prominent Palestinian American host and journalist Dean Obdeidallah also celebrated Mamdani’s win. "History was just made! And the best part is that NY Voters rejected the anti-Muslim hate spewed by Cuomo, Eric Adams, Mike Bloomberg and others," he said on X.

Rashida Tlaib, the first Palestinian and Muslim American Congresswoman in US history, called Mamdani’s victory night "amazing".

She said on Instagram: "This win showed us all that the millions of dollars from CEOs and corporations could not overtake the desire by New Yorkers that want to thrive, not just survive. The city of New York experienced a record turnout because Mayor-Elect Mamdani engaged and spoke to ALL New Yorkers. He understood that people wanted a city they could afford."

Palestinian advocacy group US Campaign for Palestinian Rights Action said that Mamdani’s win "proves that people in the US support Palestinian rights".

Executive Director Ahmad Abuznaid told The New Arab: "They’re fed up with establishment politicians who arm Israel by the billions while Americans can’t afford groceries. They want their tax dollars to fund care for their communities, like food, housing, and healthcare—not sent to a foreign apartheid state to fuel endless war and genocide."

Joy over Mamdani’s win also extended beyond Arab and Muslim Americans.

New York Rabbi Moishe Indig, one of the Jewish community leaders Mamdani met on his campaign, also welcomed his win.

"Heartiest congratulations and Mazel Tov to New York City Mayor-elect Zohran Mamdani. We are proud to endorse you and look forward to your leadership, vision, and collaboration for the betterment of our community and all New Yorkers."

The now-former assemblyman, who will assume office on 1 January 2026, has naturally drawn the ire of Republican, right-wing, and far-right figures and influencers for his win. The likes of journalist Megyn Kelly, disgraced former politician George Santos, and Congressman Randy Fine have resorted to Islamophobic language and falsehoods in their reaction to his win.

'Historic win'

New Yorkers elected Mamdani as their next mayor on Tuesday, beating out disgraced former New York governor Andrew Cuomo - forced to run as an independent after losing the Democratic primary in June - and Republican Curtis Sliwa.

Mamdani, a self-described democratic socialist, secured 50.5 percent of the vote, amid New York's highest voter turnout since 1993.

Throughout his campaign, Mamdani pledged to make New York, America’s most expensive city, more affordable for its residents. The Democratic candidate’s policies include city-owned grocery stores, a higher minimum wage of $30 by 2030, a rent freeze on some units, public childcare, and fare-free city buses, among others.

Mamdani soared in popularity thanks to his campaign style, which included ads in languages such as Arabic, Yiddish, Spanish, and Urdu in an outreach to the city’s multicultural population, appearances at community centres, places of worship, and even nightclubs, as well as his social media savvy approach and slick modern branding.

However, Mamdani’s socialist policies and Muslim and immigrant identity made him the target of  Islamophobic smear campaigns and attacks by some right-wing Americans.

President Donald Trump, in a Truth Social Post on Tuesday, called Mamdani a "Jew Hater" and claimed any person of the Jewish faith is "stupid" if they vote for him. Trump has also threatened to arrest and strip his US citizenship in the past. Most recently, the Republican president threatened to withdraw funds for New York if Mamdani were elected.

In response, and following his victory, Mamdani said on Tuesday night: "New York will remain a city of immigrants, a city built by immigrants, powered by immigrants, and as of tonight, led by an immigrant."

"So Donald Trump, since I know you’re watching, I have four words for you: Turn the volume up."