Zohran Mamdani’s groundbreaking election as the first Muslim mayor of New York City has reverberated across the globe, eliciting a diverse array of reactions. From a sense of pride in Uganda to concerns in Israel, and from celebration among European leftists to commendations from an Iranian legislator and a social media channel affiliated with Hamas, the responses highlight the global impact of his victory.
At 34, Mamdani, a Democratic Socialist with Indian roots, born in Uganda, represents a new wave of intersectional leftist politics. His election serves as a focal point for discussions surrounding socialism, Israel, and U.S. foreign policy.
Uganda
In Kampala, the capital of Uganda, residents expressed a sense of shared triumph following Mamdani’s election. Despite Mamdani leaving Uganda as a child, many Ugandans consider him a source of national pride, viewing his ascent as evidence that Ugandan immigrants can achieve leadership on the world stage.
Siraje Kifamba Nsamba, affiliated with Uganda’s Islamic Center for Education and Research, remarked that Mamdani’s achievement is a historic milestone for the country. “Zohran Mamdani has made history for Uganda,” Nsamba stated.
During his victory speech at a New York City mayoral election night event on November 4, 2025, Mamdani highlighted his roots. “He did not shy away from his Ugandan birth,” Nsamba continued. “Despite the challenges, he shattered records and demonstrated that individuals from our nation can rise to leadership anywhere in the world.”
“He did not hide his identity as 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 — built on promises of rent freezes, free public transit, 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’s an example that you can come from home and become a leader in any field.”
Another Ugandan citizen said: “I want to cry out load because we lost such a great leader to New York. We’ve missed out because we believe in a system where there is a classless society where rich work for the poor… New York, I want to tell you 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 remembering him as “focused, witty, and deliberate.”
Supporters of New York City Mayoral candidate Zohran Mamdani celebrate during an election night event at the Brooklyn Paramount Theater in Brooklyn, New York on Nov. 4, 2025. (Angelina Katsanis/AFP via Getty Images)
Elsewhere, global reactions to Mamdani’s win were mixed, reflecting both admiration and alarm.
Middle East
Jusoor News, a pan-Arab media outlet, shared content from Hamas-affiliated Telegram channels hailing Mamdani’s win as “a moral victory for humanitarian politics.”
The Hamas-linked channel Kol al-Hakika described Mamdani as “a supporter of Hamas and a hater of Israel,” claiming “everyone is cheering after the great winning of Mamdani.” Other terrorist-affiliated accounts framed the result as “a change in Western power structures.”
Socialist Zohran Mamdani won his New York City mayoral race, beating former Gov. Andrew Cuomo and Republican Curtis Sliwa. (Angela Weiss/AFP via Getty Images)
In Israel, reactions were far more severe. Amichai Chikli, Israel’s Minister of Diaspora Affairs, said New York “handed over its keys to a supporter of Hamas,” warning that “New York will no longer be the same, especially for its Jewish community,” and urging Jewish New Yorkers to move to Israel.
Israel’s National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir said that Mamdani’s election “will be remembered forever as a moment when antisemitism triumphed over common sense,” calling him “a supporter of Hamas” and “a hater of Israel.”
In Iran, lawmaker Abolqasem Jarareh told Iran International that Mamdani’s win was “a sign of the strength of the slogan ‘Death to Israel.’”
Europe
In the U.K., London’s Mayor Sadiq Khan congratulated Mamdani on X stating, “New Yorkers faced a clear choice – between hope and fear – and just like we’ve seen in London – hope won.”
Former Labour Party leader and hard-left politician Jeremy Corbyn, who has been embroiled in accusations of antisemitism and who volunteered for Mamdani’s campaign, wrote, “This is a seismic victory — not only for the people of New York, but for all those who believe that humanity and hope can prevail.”
French MEP Manon Aubry, co-chair of the Left bloc in the European Parliament, called the victory “a huge breath of hope in the world of Trump.”
Sen. Bernie Sanders, I-Vt., and New York City Mayoral candidate Zohran Mamdani hold hands during the town hall “Fighting Oligarchy” event at Brooklyn College on Sept. 6, 2025. (Angela Weiss/AFP via Getty Images)
“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, leader of the leftist NDP, Jagmeet Singh tweeted, “At a time when the odds feel so stacked against working-class people, the people of New York made history.”
Adriana James-Rodil contributed to this article.
