Zohran Mamdani's rise in the New York City mayoral race sparks anti-Muslim vitriolWASHINGTON -- Zohran Mamdani 's swift rise in New York City's mayoral race has made him into a national symbol - both as a point of pride among many Muslim Americans and a political foil for the right. On many levels, Mamdani's run is a significant moment for the country and New York City, which endured 9/11 and the rise in Islamophobia that followed. New York mayoral candidate Zohran Mamdani speaks at a rally with Hotel & Gaming Trades Council workers, in New York, Aug. 20, 2025. Born in Uganda to parents of Indian descent, he has lived in New York City since he was 7 and became a U.S. citizen in 2018. Democratic mayoral candidate Zohran Mamdani takes the stage at his primary election party, Wednesday, June 25, 2025, in New York.