06.11.2025 01:25
The old video of Zohran Mamdani, New York's new and first Muslim Mayor, eating Indian food with his hands while discussing world politics, has resurfaced following his election victory. These images have particularly become a vehicle for hate speech against Mamdani on social media.
The mayoral elections held in New York, one of the largest cities in the United States, have concluded. Following the withdrawal of former Democratic Mayor Eric Adams, Democratic Party candidate Zohran Mamdani, who emerged as one of the strongest contenders in the race, declared victory by receiving approximately 54% of the votes.
NEW YORK'S FIRST MUSLIM MAYOR
Born in Uganda and having parents of Indian descent, Mamdani reached a wide voter base with his campaign centered in Queens. He became New York's first Muslim mayor, the first mayor born in Africa, and the first mayor of South Asian descent. Mamdani's closest rival, independent candidate Andrew Cuomo, received approximately 40% of the votes.
THOSE IMAGES HAVE COME BACK TO THE AGENDA
Following Mamdani's victory, he became a target of Islamophobic attacks, alongside U.S. President Donald Trump and the Republican Party, during the election process. An old video of him resurfaced.
The footage showing the new Mayor of New York eating Indian food with his hand while discussing world politics was frequently shared on social media, especially by supporters of the Republican Party, and was used in hate speech against Mamdani.
On the other hand, in the mentioned video, Mamdani expresses that he grew up in third-world countries and has a different perspective on the Palestinian issue.