Mamdani’s New Yorkers

Immigrant, Muslim and self-proclaimed democratic socialist, Zohran Mamdani is also, at 34, the city’s youngest mayor in a century.

Famed for his charisma, and with millions of views on social media, the Democratic candidate campaigned on a platform that included reducing the cost of living, free childcare and new taxes for millionaires and corporations. In our conversations, we bring together three American Muslims who tell us why they believe Mamdani’s election is so important.

“The majority stepped-up and said you know what, we see this narrative vision of exclusion and dehumanisation and hate and we’re going to choose something better,” Wajahat tells us. “The person who will help lead the city is a Muslim, brown skinned immigrant. And as a Muslim, brown skinned son of immigrants, that gives me immense joy and hope.”

In his victory speech, Mamdani made a point of thanking the voters he says have been left behind by the city, including immigrants. We hear from New Yorkers originally from Sierra Leone, Nepal and Columbia. And two friends, Brooke and Katherine, share the challenges they’ve experienced of living in one of the world’s most expensive cities.

Presenter: Luke Jones
BBC producers: Iqra Farooq, Luke Hastings and Ash Mohamed
Boffin Media producer: Richard Hollingham

An EcoAudio certified Boffin Media production in partnership with the OS team.

(Photo: Zohran Mamdani next to his mother after winning the 2025 New York City Mayoral race. Credit: REUTERS/Shannon Stapleton)