What Zohran Mamdani's Victory Tells Us About America | Common Dreams

"On a crisp November night, I stood shoulder to shoulder at the Brooklyn Paramount Theater with ecstatic New Yorkers celebrating Zohran Mamdani's victory to become New York City's first Muslim and South Asian mayor. The ornate hall was filled with people of all races, ethnicities, genders, and ages. I saw elderly South Asian men dancing, young people cheering, women in hijabs and trans women in saris. The venue was filled with hope and promise,"

"As a first-generation Muslim immigrant, I felt the November air fill with joy, hope, and an abundance of possibilities. As the CEO of a Muslim voter mobilization organization, I saw how hard the Muslim community worked for this moment, and I recognized the need for leaders like Mamdani and Ghazala Hashmi, who won her race to become Virginia's first-ever Muslim and South Asian lieutenant governor."

"I lead a team of primarily young US-born Muslim Americans, many of whom were born and raised against the backdrop of 9/11. They never lived in an America that embraced their Muslim identities. Yet, they still choose to become activists and organizers working to build a more inclusive and representative America and counter the political machines that demonized them, their families, and their neighbors-both at home and abroad."

A jubilant crowd at the Brooklyn Paramount celebrated Zohran Mamdani becoming New York City's first Muslim and South Asian mayor, reflecting broad racial, ethnic, gender, and age diversity. The victory created a palpable sense of hope and signaled a cultural and emotional reckoning for many who felt alienated from politics in recent years. Mamdani's ascendance exemplifies a new generation of politics that prioritizes unity across race, religion, and age to address everyday issues. Muslim community organizers and young US-born Muslim Americans mobilized extensively, demonstrating commitment to inclusive representation and resistance to forces that demonized their communities.

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