Zohran Mamdani’s historic victory as the first Muslim mayor of New York City has provoked global reactions — from pride in Uganda, to anxiety in Israel, to cheers among leftists in Europe, and even praise from an Iranian lawmaker and a Hamas social media outlet.
Born in Uganda to Indian parents, the 34-year-old Democratic Socialist has become a symbol of the new, intersectional left – and a focal point for debates on socialism, Israel and US foreign policy.
Uganda
Siraje Kifamba Nsamba, a social worker at the Uganda Islamic Center for Education and Research, said Mamdani “has written history for Uganda.”
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Zohran Mamdani gives a victory speech at a night watch party for the mayor, on Tuesday, November 4, 2025, in New York City. (Yuki Iwamura/AP)
“He has not hidden his identity as a Ugandan by birth,” Nsamba said. “Against all odds, he broke every record. He showed the world that you can come from here and lead anywhere.”
Nsamba added that Mamdani’s campaign – based on promises of rent freezes, free public transport and affordable living – resonated not only with struggling New Yorkers, but also with Ugandans who saw in him an example of immigrant success.
“It motivates so many young people here,” he said. “He is an example that you can come from home and become a leader in any field.”
Another Ugandan citizen said: “I want to shout out because we have lost such a great leader to New York. We have missed something because we believe in a system where there is a classless society where the rich work for the poor… New York, I want to tell you that there are more Mamdani here in Kampala, more for you.”
A Kampala rapper and local politician echoed that pride, calling Mamdani’s victory “a triumph for artists, dreamers and immigrants.” Tom Mayanja, a musician known by his stage name The Myth UG, recalled interviewing Mamdani years ago and remembered him as “focused, witty and deliberate.”
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Supporters of New York mayoral candidate Zohran Mamdani celebrate during an election night event at the Brooklyn Paramount Theater in Brooklyn, New York on November 4, 2025. (Angelina Katsanis/AFP via Getty Images)
Elsewhere, global reactions to Mamdani’s victory were mixed, reflecting both admiration and anxiety.
Middle East
Jusoor News, a pan-Arab media outlet, shared content from Hamas-affiliated Telegram channels hailing Mamdani’s victory as “a moral victory for humanitarian politics.”
Hamas-affiliated channel Kol al-Hakika described Mamdani as “a supporter of Hamas and a hater of Israel,” claiming that “everyone is cheering after Mamdani’s great victory.” Other terrorist-linked narratives framed the outcome as “a change in Western power structures.”
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Socialist Zohran Mamdani won his New York City mayoral race, defeating former Governor Andrew Cuomo and Republican Curtis Sliwa. (Angela Weiss/AFP via Getty Images)
In Israel, the reactions were much more severe. Amichai Chikli, Israel’s Diaspora Affairs Minister, said New York “has handed over its keys to a supporter of Hamas,” warned that “New York will no longer be the same, especially for the Jewish community,” and urged Jewish New Yorkers to move to Israel.
Israeli National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir said Mamdani’s election “will forever be remembered as a moment when anti-Semitism triumphed over common sense,” calling him “a supporter of Hamas” and “a hater of Israel.”
In Iran, parliamentarian Abolqasem Jarareh said Iran International that Mamdani’s victory was “a sign of the power of the slogan ‘Death to Israel.'”
Europe
In Britain, London Mayor Sadiq Khan congratulated Mamdani on X, saying: “New Yorkers faced a clear choice – between hope and fear – and just as we saw in London – hope won.”
Former Labor Party leader and far-left politician Jeremy Corbyn, who has been embroiled in accusations of anti-Semitism and volunteered for Mamdani’s campaign, wrote: “This is a seismic victory – not just for the people of New York, but for everyone who believes that humanity and hope can triumph.”
French MEP Manon Aubry, co-chair of the left-wing bloc in the European Parliament, called victory “A huge breath of hope in Trump’s world.”
Sen. Bernie Sanders, I-Vt., and New York mayoral candidate Zohran Mamdani hold hands during the ‘Fighting Oligarchy’ event at Town Hall at Brooklyn College on September 6, 2025. (Angela Weiss/AFP via Getty Images)
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“He overcame the media, economic and political establishment that spent tens of millions of dollars to block his path,” Aubry wrote, praising his refusal to “turn a blind eye to racism and Gaza,” she wrote.
Canada
In Canada, left-wing NDP leader Jagmeet Singh tweeted: “At a time when the odds are so stacked against the working class, the people of New York have made history.”
Adriana James-Rodil contributed to this article.
