Zohran Mamdani makes history as NYC first Muslim and African-born mayor

CAIRO – 5 November 2025: 34-year-old state Zohran Mamdani, a state lawmaker and democratic socialist, was elected mayor of New York City on Tuesday, becoming NYC’s first Muslim mayor, the first born in Africa, and the city’s youngest in more than 100 years.

Mamdani defeated former NYC Governor Andrew Cuomo and Republican Curtis Sliwa in a race that drew over 2 million voters, the largest turnout for a mayoral contest in more than 50 years, according to the Associated Press.

With roughly 90% of the votes counted, Mamdani held 50.4%, roughly nine points ahead of Cuomo.

In his victory speech, Mamdani said, “The conventional wisdom would tell you that I am far from the perfect candidate. I am young… I am Muslim… I am a democratic socialist. And most damning of all, I refuse to apologize for any of this.”

He has pledged to transform city government to empower working-class New Yorkers and challenge policies of the Trump administration, which had repeatedly threatened to cut federal funding or intervene in city affairs if Mamdani won.

Mamdani was born in Kampala, Uganda, to Indian-American filmmaker Mira Nair and Ugandan scholar Mahmood Mamdani.

Mamdani and his family relocated to NYC during his childhood. He later attended the Bronx High School of Science and went on to graduate from Bowdoin College with a degree in Africana Studies, where he helped launch the college’s chapter of Students for Justice in Palestine.

Prior to entering public office, he worked as a housing counselor in Queens, assisting low-income families facing eviction.

His mayoral campaign focused on improving safety and affordability in the city while proposing ambitious progressive reforms that would break new ground for New York.