– Atoofa Nasiha
Who is Zohran Mamdani, really?
Born in Kampala, Uganda in 1991 and raised in Queens, Zohran Mamdani graduated from Bowdoin College with a BA in Africana Studies. His 2018 naturalisation marked his official entry into American civic life. Soon after, he worked as a foreclosure counsellor for low-income New Yorkers, and in 2021, he was elected to the State Assembly. On June 24, 2025, Zohran Mamdani shocked the political establishment by defeating former Governor Andrew Cuomo in the Democratic mayoral primary, becoming the first-ever Muslim Mayor of New York City.
But how did this happen? Let’s see what makes Mamdani’s leadership sensational.
A Multicultural Polyglot Building Genuine Bridges
Mamdani doesn’t just talk about diversity, he lives it. In campaign clips, he effortlessly shifts between American and African accents, mixes in Urdu, and even drops Bollywood references like “Roti Kapda aur Makaan” which is an under-the-radar signal of cultural inclusivity. Critics mocked him as an “actor,” but supporters weaponised that accusation, showing that his chameleon-like linguistic fluency reflects a genuine embrace of global identities, not performance.
The Power of a Smile and Movement
Have you seen him on stage during the mayoral forum? There’s no rigid podium; instead, he dances in public spaces, hugs supporters, and never loses that warm grin. Even when controversy hit, when Cuomo taunted him for lacking “the backbone” of a mayor – Mamdani remained composed. He answered, “Unlike you, I answer questions very directly,” proving his charisma isn’t just charm; it’s substance.
Rhetorical Prowess That Silences the Critics
When Cuomo lobbed an insult about Mamdani’s “impotence,” he hit back with sharp wit, turning aggression into a textbook example of verbal precision. Mamdani doesn’t read off scripts during his conversations. His debates and podcasts are unscripted and unapologetic.
Cuomo hit Mamdani hard on inexperience, calling it “reckless and dangerous” and highlighting his lack of management credentials:
He said, “To put a person in this seat at this time with no experience is reckless and dangerous.”
Mamdani didn’t flinch and replied boldly, “I have never had to resign in disgrace. I have never cut Medicaid. I have never stolen hundreds of millions of dollars from the MTA. I have never hounded the 13 women who credibly accused me of sexual harassment. I have never sued for their gynaecological records, and I have never done those things because I am not you, Mr. Cuomo.”
Then came the moment that stopped the stage show as Mamdani corrected the pronunciation of his own name with calm precision, “And furthermore, the name is Mamdani. M‑A‑M‑D‑A‑N‑I. You should learn how to say it.”
Cuomo’s expression shifted, and the audience reaction signalled the moment had landed. That wasn’t a performance, it was leadership in real time – with a clear, assertive, morally grounded approach.
Moral Courage on the Global Stage
What does it mean to stand on principle? Mamdani has never shied away from naming global aggressors – starting from the U.S. President, Netanyahu, India’s PM and even while knowing his Muslim identity could be weaponised against him. His unapologetic stance on issues like the Gaza genocide, Gujarat Genocide, Islamophobia, and Palestinian rights shows moral backbone where others shy away.
Policies That Put People First
New York needs bold solutions: rent freezes, fare-free buses, city-owned grocery stores, free childcare. Mamdani has pledged to tax the city’s billionaires to fund them. When asked, “Should billionaires exist?” he responded with a laugh: “The more important question is, does every normal person have the right to exist?”
Did you read that? He’s the Mayor of NYC, but answers like this show the makings of a President.
Housing, groceries, buses are basic dignities, not luxuries. And yes, he plans big-foot billionaires to bring that vision to life.
Grassroots Over Big Money
Politics usually needs the “3 Ms”: Manpower, Muscle, Money. But Mamdani took a different route. His campaign knocked on 600,000 doors, trained 20,000 volunteers, and raised $8 million – all from small donors while being the nightmare of billionaire-funded insiders.
So, Trend or Trendsetter?
He’s not a flash in the pan. Mamdani has done more than ride a global wave and he’s driving it. He’s the model of leadership the world is starving for: unapologetic, people-centred, and unafraid to speak uncomfortable truths. His primary victory signals more than a local upset as it flags the birth of a global style of politics: purposeful, inclusive, and resolute.
Well, is Zohran Mamdani a trend? No. He is the trendsetter.
By rejecting billionaire influence, speaking truth to power, and insisting on dignity for every New Yorker, regardless of background, he’s not running for New York, but he is New York. And more than that: he’s the icon of political leadership the world has been waiting for.
“Tonight, we made history. In the name of Nelson Mandela, it always seems impossible until it is done.”
These were Mamdani’s words as he stood before a crowd that had witnessed not just a political victory, but a moment that reminded us: power can change hands in unexpected ways. No matter how firmly certain names or systems seem rooted, they hold no authority except by Allah’s permission.
His story reflects a deeper truth mentioned in the words of the Qur’an:
“Say: ‘O Allah, Lord of all dominion! You bestow dominion on whomever You please, and take away dominion from whomever You please, and You exalt whom You please, and abase whom You please. In Your Hand is all good. Surely You are All-Powerful.’”
(Surah Aal-e-Imran, 3:26)
In a world chasing titles and influence, this verse reminds us that the true Giver of leadership is beyond stages, debates, and elections and that when He wills, even those dismissed as outsiders can rise to define the direction of a nation.
