NEW YORK: Zohran Mamdani takes oath as the first Muslim Mayor of New York City after a historic victory.
The young upstart of the US left takes over as New York mayor for a four-year term, sure to see him cross swords with President Donald Trump.
The 34-year-old Democrat took his oath of office at an abandoned subway stop under City Hall just after midnight to take oath as Mayor of the United States’ largest city.
He defeated independent candidate Andrew Cuomo, a former governor of New York State. Mamdani’s all-female transition team also includes other Democratic Party veterans, including Lina Khan.
Who is Zohran Mamdani?
Born in Uganda, Mamdani moved to New York with his family at the age of seven. Mamdani will be the city’s youngest mayor since 1892. He became a naturalised American citizen in 2018.
He has made his Muslim faith a visible part of his politics. He visits mosques regularly and released a campaign video in Urdu about the city’s cost-of-living crisis.
It is pertinent to mention that he used social media to attract large numbers of supporters and voters. He used Bollywood songs and the Urdu language to appeal to supporters from both New York and South Asia. He surely has a lot of fans in Pakistan too.
Mamdani’s strong support of Palestinians and staunch criticism of Israel go further than most of the Democratic establishment.
Trump laughs off journalist’s “fascist” question to Mamdani
United States President Donald Trump and New York City Mayor-elect Zohran Mamdani have held talks in the White House, expressing their hope for a productive and cordial relationship despite their history of mutual criticism.
During the meeting, the president and Mamdani discussed matters of mutual interest.
After the meeting, a reporter asked Mamdani, “Do you think President Trump is a fascist?”
Before Mamdani could respond, Trump jumped in and said he didn’t mind being called a fascist. He told Mamdani, “You can say fascist. It’s easier to say than to explain, and I don’t have any issue with it.”
Also read: New York Mayor Zohran Mamdani Calls Indian Prime Minister Modi ‘War Criminal’
