NEW YORK (WABC) — Mayor Zohran Mamdani is marking his 100 days as New York City’s first Muslim mayor.
Over the month of Ramadan, Mamdani attended 17 iftars, broke the fast with taxi drivers, firefighters, city workers and even Rikers Island inmates.
In his first 100 days, he navigated a war in the Middle East, acts of Islamophobia and immigration crackdowns all as he took office.
“I think it’s a positive to have not only a Muslim as mayor, but also an immigrant,” said Essa Masoud.
Masoud is a Palestinian American businessman who says that Zohran Mamdani needs to be a mayor for all New Yorkers.
“I think it’s a milestone for New York City,” Massoud said. “But the real question is whether he’ll be able to create that unity for Muslims and non-Muslims alike.”
Massoud said the mayor has become an inspiration to New York’s Muslim community. He was sworn in with a Quran and during the holy month of Ramadan, Mamdani broke his daily fast at Iftars in every corner of the city.
“He’s never missed one,” said Ramy Aqel. “He was at a different community center every single day.”
Aqel is a Palestinian American attorney who campaigned for Mamdani.
“I think it’s incredible to see him, you know, holding on to his faith, being in public office and at the same time being able to practice and express himself,” Aqel said. “It’s what makes New York, New York, you know?”
As mayor of the world’s largest Jewish community outside of Israel, Mamdani has embraced Jewish New Yorkers but faces ongoing scrutiny over his pro-Palestinian and anti-Zionist views.
His Muslim faith has made him the target of Islamophobic slurs.
“Does this make you feel as if you are expected to somehow apologize for your faith,” N.J. Burkett asked Mamdani on March 13.
“You know, I think there are some who would love if I did so, but they will always be disappointed,” Mamdani said.
In his first 100 days, the mayor has focused on delivering his campaign promises–along with shoveling snow, filling potholes and setting an example.
“My hope in having this position, as the first Muslim mayor of the city, is to show that New Yorkers come from everywhere of faith and every background,” Mamdani said.
Mamdani is less likely to comment on the Middle East. Aqel said he should use his position to be more outspoken about Gaza.
“I think at this point, after what’s been happening in the past two years, we need to address it,” Aqel said. “We need to talk about it.”
Massoud disagrees.
“I think what’s important is his New York politics and what he does for New York City.”
Mitchell Moss is a professor of urban studies at New York University.
“People are going to judge him by three things: Is crime going up or down? Do they feel that students are getting educated and are the homeless a threat to their everyday quality of life? If any of those measures of urban life deteriorate, that will be what he’s judged by,” Moss said.
And for now, that appears to be Mamdani’s focus–as a big city mayor who happens to be a Muslim.
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