PICS | Zohran Mamdani elected as New York mayor: 5 facts about his Indian roots

Updated On: 06 November, 2025 02:29 PM IST | Nascimento Pinto

Zohran Mamdani, a Queens lawmaker, has made history as New York City’s 111th mayor — becoming the first Muslim, first South Asian, and the youngest person in over a century to hold the office. Here are five fascinating facts about him. Photos Courtesy: AFP

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<p><strong>Birth</strong><br />Zohran Kwame Mamdani was born on October 18, 1991, in Kampala, Uganda, to academician Mahmood Mamdani—an Indian-origin Gujarati Muslim born in Bombay—and filmmaker Mira Nair, a Punjabi Hindu. His family migrated from South Africa when he was five years old and later moved to the United States when he was seven, eventually settling in New York City.</p>

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Birth
Zohran Kwame Mamdani was born on October 18, 1991, in Kampala, Uganda, to academician Mahmood Mamdani—an Indian-origin Gujarati Muslim born in Bombay—and filmmaker Mira Nair, a Punjabi Hindu. His family migrated from South Africa when he was five years old and later moved to the United States when he was seven, eventually settling in New York City.

<p><strong>Mother</strong><br />Mamdani`s mother, Mira Nair is celebrated for her independent films produced through her own production company. Over her illustrious career, she has won two prizes at the Cannes Film Festival, four at the Venice Film Festival, and received two BAFTA and two César Award nominations. Her films have also earned two Academy Award nominations.</p>

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Mother
Mamdani`s mother, Mira Nair is celebrated for her independent films produced through her own production company. Over her illustrious career, she has won two prizes at the Cannes Film Festival, four at the Venice Film Festival, and received two BAFTA and two César Award nominations. Her films have also earned two Academy Award nominations.

<p><strong>What`s in the middle name?</strong><br />His middle name, Kwame, was given by his father in honour of Kwame Nkrumah, the first President of Ghana.</p>

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What`s in the middle name?
His middle name, Kwame, was given by his father in honour of Kwame Nkrumah, the first President of Ghana.

<p><strong>Music career</strong><br />A passionate hip-hop fan, Mamdani has also pursued a music career as a rapper and producer. His music often reflects his Ugandan and Indian heritage, blending English and Luganda in his lyrics.</p>

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Music career
A passionate hip-hop fan, Mamdani has also pursued a music career as a rapper and producer. His music often reflects his Ugandan and Indian heritage, blending English and Luganda in his lyrics.

<p><strong>Marriage </strong><br />In 2021, Mamdani met animator and illustrator Rama Duwaji. They got engaged in October 2024, held a private nikah ceremony two months later, and were married in February 2025 through a civil ceremony at New York City Hall.</p>

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Marriage
In 2021, Mamdani met animator and illustrator Rama Duwaji. They got engaged in October 2024, held a private nikah ceremony two months later, and were married in February 2025 through a civil ceremony at New York City Hall.

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PICS | Zohran Mamdani elected as New York mayor: 5 facts about his Indian roots

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Global AI leaders join PM Modi in a bid to push for a smarter, inclusive future