Zohran Mamdani: NYC’s First Asian Muslim Mayor (2025)
A Historic Moment for New York City
Zohran Mamdani has made history as the first Asian Muslim mayor of New York City, elected on November 4, 2025. His victory represents a milestone for diversity and progressive leadership in one of the world’s most influential cities.
Born in Uganda, Africa, Mamdani moved to the United States when he was five years old. Both of his parents are highly accomplished — graduates of Harvard and Columbia University. His mother is a well-known filmmaker, and Zohran himself attended Bronx High School of Science, one of New York’s most prestigious public schools, comparable to Hunter College High School, which I mentioned in a previous post.
My Political Stance: Liberal, but Not Far-Left
I consider myself a liberal, but I don’t fully align with the far-left socialism that Zohran Mamdani and many of his supporters represent.
Still, I’m genuinely happy about his election — my husband even voted for him! Yet, we must remain realistic and see how much he can actually deliver on his promises.
On Capitalism and the Wealth Gap in New York City
Zohran Mamdani’s criticism of capitalism is one area where I disagree with him.
It’s true that capitalism has deepened the gap between the rich and people with low-income. Walking through the city, it’s heartbreaking to see the rising number of homeless and drug-addicted individuals. This is an urgent social issue that must be addressed.
However, I believe that capitalism can also be part of the solution — if wealthy people are willing to share their resources generously. New York City’s economy thrives because many wealthy individuals still give back through philanthropy, investment, and community support. Not everyone who succeeds financially is an enemy of social progress.
Instead of fighting the rich, I believe we should encourage more generosity among them.
How My Perspective Changed by Working in Manhattan
Over the years, my ideas have changed greatly through my experiences working in Manhattan.
I believe that where you work and where you study strongly shape your ideology. When I studied at CUNY, I was surrounded by many students from working-class backgrounds. That environment influenced me to think like a far-left liberal, with strong beliefs in equality and social justice.
However, once I began running my own business and meeting wealthy clients and professionals, my perspective started to evolve. I realized that many of them are not bad people — in fact, many contribute significantly to society. I also came to understand why they feel the need to protect their assets.
Still, I noticed two very different kinds of wealthy families: those who genuinely care about society and those who don’t.
That’s why I hope Mayor Zohran Mamdani will go deeper into this issue — to work closely with socially conscious wealthy individuals, and also to educate those who are not yet aware of their potential role in building a fairer, more compassionate city.
A Conversation That Changed My Perspective
Recently, I attended a concert at Lincoln Center. During the intermission, a man sitting next to me started a conversation. His family was quite loud, and though he seemed pleasant, I was surprised to learn that he was a Trump supporter.
He claimed that Columbia University had become a dangerous place because of the pro-Palestine protests earlier this year. Since I am part of the university community, I knew that wasn’t true. The demonstrations were peaceful — no one was hurt — and even Orthodox Jewish students participated. This reminded me how misinformation can spread so easily.
The man, an immigrant from Greece and a real-estate businessman in Queens, had become wealthy but lacked understanding of broader social realities. He spoke negatively about undocumented immigrants, even though it was the previous administration that welcomed them before policy changes took place. How can someone feel happy seeing others suddenly detained or relocated to harsh camps?
This experience showed me how education and empathy are just as important as wealth or success.
What I Hope Mayor Zohran Mamdani Will Do
I hope Mayor Mamdani focuses on educating and engaging wealthy New Yorkers who may lack awareness of social inequality. We need leadership that bridges divides — not only between rich and poor, but also between communities, ideologies, and generations.
New York City deserves a future where economic opportunity and compassion coexist. Zohran Mamdani’s election is a symbol of progress — but the real work begins now, in how he brings people together to make change happen.
Final Thoughts
Zohran Mamdani’s rise to leadership is a historic milestone for Muslim and immigrant representation in American politics. As a liberal, I support his vision of equality — even as I remain cautious about his economic ideology.
In the end, leadership isn’t about ideology alone; it’s about uniting people to build a fairer city for all.
The cover image is from Zohram Mamdani’s website. Photographer Kara McCurdy
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