Muslim and fearless: Mamdani candidacy is shaking New York

By The Taurean

If elected, Zohran Mamdani will become New York’s first Muslim mayor, but his support for Palestine, criticism of Narendra Modi, and refusal to conform to political norms have triggered fierce opposition from powerful interest groups

THE WORLDVIEW

July 3, 2025 

IF Zohran Mamdani wins this November’s election, he will become the first Muslim mayor of New York City — a historic achievement for one of the world’s most visible and influential cities. Yet, this very possibility has turned him into a lightning rod for hostility. His faith, politics, and personal authenticity have combined to make him a serious contender — and a serious threat to America’s political orthodoxy.  

Mamdani is not a man to hide who he is. A Shia Muslim of Gujarati descent, he has never downplayed his background to please the establishment. He speaks with an immigrant’s cadence, partakes in South Asian customs without apology (he was recently mocked for eating rice with his bare hands) and embraces his dual heritage as a child of an interfaith marriage.

His father is Mahmood Mamdani, a renowned Ugandan-Indian Muslim academic, while his mother is Mira Nair, the celebrated Indian filmmaker behind Monsoon Wedding and Salaam Bombay!. However, what makes Mamdani so compelling to young voters, especially those from minority communities, is that he refuses to conform to the behavioural expectations that often weigh down politicians of colour.

While many try to neutralise their identities — mimicking speech patterns, dressing to blend in, or softening positions — Mamdani speaks plainly, authentically, and with visible purpose. It’s this clarity and non-performative style that has galvanised a large following, particularly among young, progressive, first-time voters.

Powerful interest groups

However, this authenticity, combined with his fierce moral clarity, has unsettled powerful groups. Most notably, Mamdani is among the few mainstream political candidates in America to openly advocate for the rights of Palestinians. He has attended solidarity marches, criticised Israeli policies in Gaza, and called for a re-evaluation of America’s blind support for Israel — all positions that have attracted harsh backlash.

The pro-Israel lobby, certain conservative Jewish organisations, and even centrist Democrats have labelled him “radical” or “anti-Semitic”, despite his clear insistence that his criticism is directed towards the actions of a state, not any religious or ethnic group.

Some groups have even launched targeted advertising campaigns, hoping to erode his support among moderate voters. The attacks, though predictable, underscore how deeply American political discourse continues to suppress genuine discussion about Palestine.

Mamdani has also not shied away from calling out human rights abuses in India, particularly under Prime Minister Narendra Modi. He has publicly denounced the 2002 Gujarat pogrom — which saw the killing of over a thousand Muslims during Modi’s tenure as chief minister — and criticised the Bharatiya Janata Party’s increasingly authoritarian and sectarian politics.

These positions have infuriated Hindu nationalist factions within the Indian diaspora, many of whom have accused him of "attacking India" and have attempted to stir backlash among voters of Indian origin. Still, Mamdani continues to speak plainly, insisting that “condemning a government’s abuses does not equate to condemning a nation or its people.”

He has argued that standing for justice means being consistent — whether it’s the occupied territories in Gaza, or the streets of Gujarat.

His rise has drawn the usual arsenal of attacks often directed at unapologetically brown and black candidates: Islamophobia, racialised caricatures, and efforts to paint him as alien, extreme, or disloyal. But Mamdani has responded not with defensiveness but defiance. His response to mockery about eating with his hands was simple and proud — “That’s how I’ve always eaten rice.”

Despite the opposition, polls show Mamdani to be one of the top two contenders for the mayoralty. According to a Honan Strategy Group poll in late June, Mamdani and Andrew Cuomo are tied at 39% support. Other candidates, including Eric Adams and Curtis Sliwa, trail behind in the double digits. A May Emerson College poll similarly placed Mamdani ahead of his rivals in most matchups.

Crucially, ranked-choice voting will not apply in the general election, making first-choice numbers all the more significant. Mamdani’s base is solid and passionate — younger voters, Muslims, immigrants, South Asians, Black progressives, and housing rights campaigners have all rallied to his cause. Even more tellingly, he dominates among first-time voters, a demographic often overlooked by traditional polling.

However, the race remains fluid. Cuomo’s presence on the ballot divides the moderate vote, which could help Mamdani — but also poses a risk if anti-Mamdani forces consolidate. Similarly, Eric Adams continues to appeal to older and more conservative Democratic voters. These dynamics make the race unpredictable, despite Mamdani’s current advantage.

What’s clear is that Mamdani has a realistic chance of winning — if the momentum holds and his base remains energised. But his candidacy is more than a numbers game. It is a litmus test for whether the United States — and New York in particular — is ready for a mayor who is Muslim, proudly brown, unafraid to criticise power, and unwilling to sanitise his beliefs for political comfort.

His critics are not merely challenging his positions; they are challenging his right to belong in the halls of power. For them, Mamdani is not just a political opponent — he is a cultural disruption. He represents a future where the sons of Muslim immigrants can lead, where political clarity is not punished, and where eating with your hands isn’t a scandal but a statement of authenticity.

In the end, his campaign’s success will not only depend on the ballot box, but on whether voters — especially younger ones — can withstand the media smears, the fear-mongering, and the subtle racism masquerading as concern.

There’s many a slip between the cup and the lip, as the saying goes. And for a candidate like Zohran Mamdani — outspoken, brown, Muslim, and unflinchingly honest — those slips are likely to be many, deliberate, and deeply entrenched. But he may just leap over them all — and into office.

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