NYC Mayor-elect Zohran Mamdani: "People Saw Themselves in Me"

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At a gathering of American-Pakistanis in Long Island, New York City Mayor-elect Zohran Mamdani kicked off with a humorous story that highlighted both the hurdles of political life and the strong community connections that helped him secure victory.

“The day after Ali Najmi lost the election, he went to a cafe for some donuts. An uncle saw him and said he had been eagerly waiting to vote for Ali,” Mamdani shared.

In reality, the first door Mamdani ever knocked on in New York City was for Ali Najmi, an American-Pakistani candidate running for City Council. Mamdani refers to Ali as his brother. Najmi’s loss was a shocking moment for him, Mamdani admitted.

“That day, I promised myself that no uncle or auntie should forget the election date,” Mamdani told over a hundred American-Pakistanis gathered to celebrate his transition.

The event was organized in Long Island by Dr. Ijaz Ahmad, chairman of the American Pakistani Public Affairs Committee (APPAC). Many attendees had supported Mamdani since his 2018 run for the State Assembly.

Talking about his campaign approach, Mamdani said he connected with people of all ages. His team reached out to those who had never voted and to those who hadn’t voted in decades.

“A close friend, Salman, told me about his 90-year-old grandfather, who had lived in NYC for nearly 50 years. This election was the first time he registered to vote,” Mamdani proudly shared.

This inclusive strategy expanded political participation, bringing in Pakistanis, Indians, Bangladeshis, Nepalis, Tibetans, South Asians, and others from across all five boroughs. Mamdani received more votes than any candidate since John Vliet Lindsay in 1965.

“I’m less than 30 days away from being sworn in as the first South Asian, first Muslim mayor in New York City’s history—and the first immigrant to lead the city in generations,” he announced.

He then delivered a heartfelt message:

“The only reason I’m standing here is because people saw themselves in me long before I could see the path ahead. I ask you to give that same confidence to every young person here—those who want to write their own stories, those who aspire to be the leaders we’ve been waiting for, the ones who will chart a new course for our city, state, and country.”

Mamdani acknowledged that his journey had not been easy. Many discouraged him, friends included, reminding him of the limitations often associated with promises made in this city, state, and country.

“In the early days of this campaign, many said it was impossible. They asked why I even tried. Some thought dreaming of such a goal was foolish,” he reflected.

Yet, he praised APPAC for its steadfast support, recognizing how crucial such backing was for making this victory possible.

He emphasized that this wasn’t solely about American-Pakistanis, South Asians, or Muslims. Even many early supporters weren’t aware of the specific position he was running for.

“What I’ve heard from many in this room—and from Dr. Ijaz himself—is that democracy should mirror the city it serves. That everyone, regardless of background, should see themselves in their government,” Mamdani said.

Addressing his campaign promises, he added: “I understand the significance of today. Much more than just achieving our goals, the success of my leadership will determine the future for many.”

Before wrapping up, Mamdani shared another story—this time about a South Asian doctor who saved a woman’s life on a flight to Puerto Rico. When asked how his service might be recognized, the doctor said:

“Give me two tickets to Zohran Mamdani’s inauguration,” Mamdani recounted.

Earlier, former APPAC Youth President and PSA co-founder Arsal Ijaz noted that Mamdani “didn’t come from a political background. He built his journey step by step, community by community, proving that the impossible becomes possible when you take that first step.”