From hope and hunger strikes to City Hall: The rise of Zohran Mamdani
From hope and hunger strikes to City Hall: The rise of Zohran Mamdani
Early life and political roots
It was only after I came across a young man named Zohran Mamdani, vying for an assembly seat in Astoria, Queens, that the realization hit me. His name stirred a memory, and it soon became clear that he was the offspring of Mahmood Mamdani, a Columbia University professor whose analyses of the “war on terror” had shaped many discussions, and Mira Nair, a celebrated Indian filmmaker known for her poignant socio-cultural narratives.
Zohran’s journey had begun in Uganda’s capital, Kampala, and later in South Africa’s Cape Town. But I found out he had also spent six months in Durban, my hometown, before relocating to New York. This detail, once overlooked, added a personal layer to his story.
A childhood shaped by scrutiny
During our first conversation, he shared how, as a teenager, he had been subjected to intense questioning at JFK airport. After returning from a family trip abroad, he was placed in a mirrored interrogation room and asked if he had attended a terrorist training camp or harbored plans to strike the United States.
He described growing up in post-9/11 New York, where Muslim communities faced constant observation. Simple activities like playing football, visiting a mosque, or enjoying a hookah at a local café were accompanied by the shadow of surveillance. The tension reached a peak when a classmate was enlisted as an NYPD informant, a moment that underscored the pervasive nature of this oversight.
“Here I am, an immigrant, a man of colour, an independent, running for office. I want to be Trump’s worst nightmare,” said Khader El-Yateem, the socialist Palestinian Lutheran minister who ran for city council in 2017.
Mamdani’s perspective shifted during that campaign. El-Yateem, who had once endured solitary confinement in Israel, wasn’t just vocal about Palestine—his dedication to the BDS movement was unwavering. This contrasted with Mamdani’s earlier belief that electoral politics alone couldn’t drive change for the Palestinian cause.
Reimagining the path to power
El-Yateem’s approach ignited a new vision for Mamdani. Previously, he had focused on activism through Palestine solidarity efforts at Bowdoin College, where he launched the Students for Justice in Palestine chapter. Yet, the minister’s campaign demonstrated how political office could serve as a tool for broader societal transformation.
At the time of our meeting, Mamdani was already affiliated with the Democratic Socialists of America and the Muslim Democratic Club. However, the 2017 campaign marked a turning point, steering him toward a more strategic role in shaping policy and representation.
Five and a half years ago, I visited his campaign office in Astoria, a modest space still taking shape. Mamdani greeted me with warmth and approachability, his smile less frequent than now, yet genuine. He spoke with confidence, never pretentious, embodying the charisma of a leader in the making.
Later, he casually suggested a shawarma spot nearby, a small gesture that hinted at his ability to connect with people beyond the political sphere. Today, he stands on the brink of becoming New York City’s mayor, a testament to the journey from a young activist to a political figure poised to redefine the city’s future.