**Zohran Mamdani’s Historic Win in New York City Sparks Global Reactions**
Zohran Mamdani’s victory in New York City’s mayoral race has ignited passionate responses both in support of and against him. From pride in his birthplace of Uganda and congratulations from his counterpart in London to criticism from Israel’s top diplomat in the U.S., Mamdani’s ascent marks a significant moment on the world stage.
Mamdani, a self-described democratic socialist, will become the city’s first Muslim mayor. His victory has left many in Africa beaming with pride for a hometown son. Born 34 years ago in Uganda, Mamdani lived in South Africa for two years before moving with his family to New York as a child.
“What a moment! It was beautiful! I am excited!” exclaimed Joseph Beyanga, CEO of Uganda’s National Association of Broadcasters, during an interview with CBS News. Beyanga, who served as Mamdani’s mentor when the mayor-elect interned at Uganda’s leading newspaper, the *Daily Monitor*, recalled Mamdani’s early ambition.
“Whatever he wanted to do, there was no middle point. Always he wanted the top,” Beyanga shared. He noted Mamdani’s deep interest not merely in current affairs but in how those issues impacted everyday people. “When it was time to interact with people, he talked to people looking straight in the eye,” Beyanga added.
Even 17 years after their initial meeting, Beyanga sees the same passion in Mamdani. “Nothing has changed. His heart is with the people, and I don’t think that will change,” he said. Beyanga dismissed critics labeling Mamdani a populist, emphasizing instead his genuine commitment to serving marginalized communities. “He is a Ugandan boy, and the Ugandan boy cares for the people.”
Beyanga compared the excitement in Uganda to the enthusiasm among Kenyans and Indonesians during former President Barack Obama’s first election. “The Ugandans are having their Mamdani moment,” he said. “And yes, we say if he did it, yes we can!”
Across the Atlantic, London Mayor Sadiq Khan—who, like Mamdani, is the first Muslim leader of his city—expressed solidarity. Currently serving his third term, Khan acknowledged the significance of Mamdani’s win.
“New Yorkers faced a clear choice between hope and fear, and just like we’ve seen in London, hope won,” Khan wrote on social media. “Huge congratulations to Zohran Mamdani on his historic campaign.”
Following Mamdani’s victory, *Time* magazine published an article by Khan describing it as “extraordinary” that two of the world’s most influential cities will soon be led by people of the same faith.
“But in two of the most diverse cities on Earth, it’s a bit beside the point,” Khan noted. “We did not win because of our faith. We won because we addressed voters’ concerns, rather than playing on them. Mayor Mamdani and I might not agree on everything. Many of the challenges our cities face are similar, but they are not identical. Put policy differences aside, though, and it’s clear that we are united by something far more fundamental: our belief in the power of politics to change people’s lives for the better.”
However, Mamdani’s support for Palestinian rights has led to accusations of antisemitism and being pro-Hamas, charges he denies. He has also faced criticism for not explicitly condemning the phrase “globalize the intifada.” While “intifada” is Arabic for “uprising,” it is often seen as a slogan inciting violence against Israel.
During his campaign, Mamdani said he would “discourage” others from using the term and noted, “that is not language that I use.”
Nevertheless, Israeli Ambassador to the United States Danny Danon condemned Mamdani’s remarks as inflammatory. “Mamdani’s inflammatory remarks will not deter us,” Danon wrote on social media following the election. “The Jewish community in New York and across the United States deserves safety and respect. We will continue to strengthen our ties with Jewish community leaders to ensure their security and well-being.”
Media coverage in Israel reflected divided opinions, largely split along ideological lines. Left-wing outlets largely urged giving Mamdani a chance, while right-wing media adopted a more critical stance.
On Wednesday morning, the *Times of Israel* ran a front-page headline stating: “Far-left, anti-Israel candidate Zohran Mamdani wins New York City mayoral race.”
Mamdani’s landmark win not only marks a new chapter for New York City but also resonates globally, symbolizing both hope and controversy across communities and continents.
https://www.cbsnews.com/news/zohran-mamdani-election-mayor-new-york-global-reaction/