Marwa Janini was 10 years old and growing up in Brooklyn on September 11, 2001. In the aftermath of the Al Qaeda terrorist attack that killed almost 3,000 people and destroyed the World Trade Center’s twin towers, she remembers the onset of intense surveillance and the fear that gripped the Muslim and Arab communities. Even as a young girl, she felt a need for those targeted to have their voices heard.
Today, Ms. Janini leads the Arab American Association of New York, and finds herself at the center of a moment that once seemed unimaginable: she is part of the transition team for New York’s first Muslim mayor, Zohran Mamdani, who will be sworn in on January 1.
A Shift in New York Politics
Mr. Mamdani secured nearly 51 percent of the vote in a mayoral election with the highest turnout since 1969, appealing to a diverse range of New Yorkers. In Bay Ridge, Brooklyn – home to the largest Arab community in New York City and a significant Muslim population – he won the majority of votes, though the western portion of the neighborhood largely favored former New York Governor Andrew Cuomo.
Bay Ridge has undergone a significant cultural transformation over the decades, evolving from a predominantly European immigrant neighborhood to an area informally known as “Little Palestine” or “Little Yemen,” particularly along 5th Avenue between 67th and 75th streets. Arabic signage is common, Quranic recordings fill shops, and the call to prayer, or Adhan, can be heard from local mosques.
Many New Yorkers view Mr. Mamdani as a candidate prepared to address the city’s affordability crisis, though some question his ability to deliver on campaign promises. For many Muslims, his victory represents a profound shift, a journey from political marginalization to having one of their own in the city’s highest office.
“The story of Muslim New Yorkers and Arab New Yorkers isn’t one of linear progress,” Ms. Janini says. “There are a lot of complexities. It’s a community that has to continuously fight to feel safe and supported and seen.”
Mr. Mamdani, pledging to serve all New Yorkers, directly addressed the Muslim community in his victory speech, assuring the city’s over 1 million Muslims that they now belong “not just in the five boroughs of this city, but in the halls of power.”
From Surveillance to Political Mobilization
The period following 9/11 saw a marked increase in scrutiny of Muslim communities. A 2013 lawsuit accused the NYPD of civil rights violations through unwarranted surveillance of Muslims. The resulting settlement brought reforms, prohibiting investigations based on race, religion, or ethnicity and increasing oversight to prevent discriminatory practices.
Asad Dandia, a plaintiff in the lawsuit, discovered that a charity he co-founded had been infiltrated by an NYPD informant. He says the experience galvanized him into community organizing. “It was probably the most visible and salient moment in our history where we actually took a stand against discrimination and injustice perpetrated by city government,” Mr. Dandia says.
This momentum continued with the launch of the Muslim Democratic Club of New York in 2013, aimed at mobilizing voters. Mr. Mamdani’s chief counsel on his transition team helped found the group. In 2017, Mr. Mamdani served as canvassing director for Khader El-Yateem, a Palestinian American and Lutheran pastor who ran for city council in Bay Ridge. Though El-Yateem lost, the campaign energized the community and laid the groundwork for Mr. Mamdani’s own political career.
The cultural fabric of Bay Ridge continues to evolve. Basma, a recent arrival from Algeria three years ago, described the emotional experience of finding a familiar community. “I heard people speaking Arabic, and there was a store that had Algerian music playing and I was walking and crying and laughing at the same time,” she says. “It’s all the same [as Algeria] – the food, the language, the gossip.”
Addressing Affordability and Diverse Concerns
Amir Ali, a Yemeni business owner in Bay Ridge, expressed his satisfaction with having a Muslim representative in city leadership. “It does matter to me to have a nice picture of Islam other than what the media shows,” Mr. Ali says. “That’s what we care about. He is showing the American Muslim as we want him to.”
However, the issue of affordability remains paramount for Mr. Ali and many others. A poll conducted in early 2025 revealed that nearly two-thirds of New York City residents are struggling to meet basic needs, and almost half have considered leaving the city. Mr. Ali’s rent has increased by approximately $2,000 in recent years.
“A lot of people voted for [Mr. Mamdani], not just Muslims, not just Middle Easterners, because all these people are struggling for real with affordability,” Mr. Ali says. “They need somebody to at least – even if he’s not gonna fix it – look at it, and at least hear us.”
Mr. Mamdani, a democratic socialist, has proposed policies such as city-owned grocery stores and rent freezes. These proposals have drawn criticism from opponents, including Republican U.S. Rep. Nicole Malliotakis, who characterized his ideas as “straight out of the communist playbook of Karl Marx.”
Mr. Mamdani also faces challenges in appealing to other constituencies, particularly the city’s large Jewish population. Some of his statements regarding the war in Gaza have been met with criticism, including his apparent reluctance to condemn the phrase “globalize the intifada.” He has stated that it is not language he uses. However, he has affirmed Israel’s right to exist, while also rejecting a system of hierarchy based on race or religion.
Despite these concerns, approximately one-third of Jewish New Yorkers voted for Mr. Mamdani, and he has pledged to protect Jewish New Yorkers. His stance on Palestine has also garnered support, as 44% of registered voters in New York City sympathize more with Palestinians, while 26% sympathize more with Israel, according to a New York Times and Siena University poll.
Frequently Asked Questions
What prompted the NYPD to begin surveillance of Muslim communities after 9/11?
Following the 9/11 attacks, the NYPD initiated a covert counterterrorism program that targeted Muslims and people of Middle Eastern descent, believing it was necessary to prevent future attacks.
What role did the Muslim Democratic Club of New York play in Mr. Mamdani’s political career?
The Muslim Democratic Club of New York, founded in 2013, mobilized voters and provided a platform for Muslim political engagement, contributing to the groundwork for Mr. Mamdani’s successful campaign.
What is the primary concern for many voters who supported Mr. Mamdani?
The primary concern for many voters, including those in the Muslim and Arab communities, is the issue of affordability in New York City, as highlighted by a poll showing that almost two-thirds of residents struggle to meet basic needs.
As Mr. Mamdani prepares to take office, what challenges and opportunities will he face in balancing the diverse needs and expectations of New York City’s residents?
