Who is Zohran Mamdani?

Pars Today – Zohran Mamdani has become a prominent media figure after winning New York’s mayoral election and taking strong anti-Israeli positions — including his statement about the possible arrest of Benjamin Netanyahu.

Mamdani rose to prominence through a highly energized grassroots campaign that defeated his rivals — former New York governor Andrew Cuomo, who was backed by billionaires, and Curtis Sliwa, his Republican opponent. Reports indicate that more than 26 billionaires and wealthy American families spent billions of dollars to support Cuomo’s campaign and prevent Mamdani’s victory, but Mamdani’s socially conscious message and popular momentum ultimately prevailed. This Pars Today feature looks at his life and political journey.

Zohran Qawam Mamdani was born on October 18, 1991, in Kampala, Uganda, to an Indian-origin immigrant family who later fled to the United States following dictator Idi Amin’s expulsion policies. Raised in New York City, Mamdani studied African and West Asian Studies at Brown University and New York University. His multicultural upbringing and personal experiences with discrimination shaped his lifelong commitment to social justice. In early 2025, he married Syrian artist Rama Dawaji.

Before entering politics, Mamdani was active in cultural and community initiatives — from performing as a rapper under the name Mr. Cardamom and founding a school cricket team to launching a Students for Justice in Palestine chapter at his university. He has also twice completed the New York Marathon and owns a small piece of land in Uganda.

Mamdani formally entered politics in 2020, when he was elected to the New York State Assembly, representing a multicultural district in Brooklyn. He quickly became one of the most influential voices in the Democratic Party’s progressive wing. As a member of the Democratic Socialists of America (DSA), he advocated for affordable housing, workers’ rights, and racial justice.

Although rooted in democratic socialism, Mamdani describes his vision as going beyond ideological labels. A sharp critic of capitalism and neoliberal economic policies, he supports initiatives such as a wealth tax, nationalization of key industries, and strengthening labor unions. His mayoral platform focused on tackling the housing crisis, improving infrastructure, and expanding social services.

One of Mamdani’s most notable positions is his outspoken support for Palestine and endorsement of the BDS movement against Israel. He has repeatedly condemned Israeli policies as violations of human rights and called for ending U.S. military aid to the Israeli regime. His recent comments suggesting the possibility of Netanyahu’s arrest in New York, following an ICC warrant, drew widespread media and political attention across the U.S.

Mamdani has also criticized U.S. military interventions in West Asia, advocating for diplomacy and dialogue to resolve regional conflicts — a stance consistent with the progressive faction of the Democratic Party.