MUHAMMADIYAH.OR.ID, NEW YORK – In a historic moment for American politics, Zohran Kwame Mamdani, a 34-year-old state legislator from Queens, was officially elected as the 111th Mayor of New York City on Tuesday night (04/11) local time.
His victory marks a double milestone. Mamdani becomes the first Muslim ever to lead the largest city in the United States and the youngest person in more than a century to hold the city’s top executive post.
Running as a Democratic Socialist, Mamdani defeated two major rivals: former New York Governor Andrew Cuomo, who ran as an independent, and Curtis Sliwa of the Republican Party.
According to The New York Times, CNN, NBC News, and The Guardian, Mamdani secured 50.3% of votes with 88% of ballots counted by midnight, while Cuomo trailed with 41.6% and Sliwa came in third with 7.2%. The victory adds to the Democratic Party’s national wave of success, which also included gubernatorial wins in New Jersey and Virginia.
Born in Uganda to immigrant parents, Mamdani grew up in New York and entered politics as a State Assembly member in 2020. His campaign focused on working-class issues such as rent freezes for stabilized apartments, free public transit, and universal childcare funded through taxes on the wealthy.
His innovative campaign strategy, blending viral social media content with charismatic grassroots engagement, energized young voters under 45, who supported him by a 43-point margin, according to NBC News exit polls. Voter turnout hit its highest level since 1969, surpassing two million ballots, boosted by a 65% surge in early voting.
Conservative outlets such as the New York Post criticized him for his Muslim identity and progressive stances, labelling him “radical” and “inexperienced.” President Donald Trump also attacked Mamdani on Truth Social, calling him “Incompetent” and urging voters to back Cuomo instead.
Speaking at the Brooklyn Paramount Theater, Mamdani celebrated his win with passion: “You dared to believe in something bigger. We’ve toppled the old political dynasty!” He pledged to build “a city that works for everyone,” highlighting inclusivity and economic justice as his core agenda.
From Indonesia, the Muhammadiyah Central Board expressed joy and optimism. Chairman Dadang Kahmad praised Mamdani’s victory as a breakthrough moment that could reshape global perceptions of Muslim in leadership.
“It’s truly uplifting. I congratulate him and wish him success. If he can lead effectively and bring progress, it will change how Muslims are viewed and build greater trust among citizens across the U.S.,” Dadang told Muhammadiyah.or.id on Wednesday (05/11).
Responding to questions about whether Mamdani’s victory signals a broader acceptance of Muslims in the West, Dadang noted that the success reflects a functional and merit-based society rather than religious bias.
“Western societies tend to be pragmatic. People vote for candidates who convince them, not based on religion, while also channeling public fatigue toward Trump and the Republican Party,” he explained.
He emphasized that Mamdani’s triumph stems more from his progressive platform and appeal to young and immigrant voters than from religious symbolism.
As Mamdani prepares to take office in January 2026, global attention turns to how he will tackle New York’s pressing challenges such as the housing crisis, safety, and inequality.
For Muhammadiyah and the wider Muslim community, the win stands as a powerful message: in a world often shadowed by prejudice, inclusive vision and hard work can open doors to leadership at the highest level.
As Mamdani put it during his campaign:
“This is not about who we are, it’s about what we can achieve together.” (Bintang Adrian)
