Election of a new mayor New York — Zokhrana Mamdani – became a sensation not only in the USA, but also in the Middle East. IN Syria he has already been dubbed a “relative”: the politician’s wife, Rama Duwajihas Syrian roots, which caused a wave of delight and humor in Arab social networks.
In many Arab countries and Iran Mamdani’s victory was greeted with interest and enthusiasm. His faith and open stance in support Palestinian people made it a popular symbol in the region.
“I like how the Syrians call him their son-in-law. The poor guy thought he would only marry one Syrian woman! No, Habibi Zohran, now you belong to the whole nation,” he joked Karam Nasareditor-in-chief of the independent Syrian platform Al Jumhuriya.
Famous Syrian intellectual Abdel Karim Bakkarwhich has more than 3 million subscribers, called Mamdani’s victory “wonderful news” and noted that the future mayor has become “the voice of ordinary people, workers and the poor.”
“Our son-in-law speaks Arabic”
Viral election video of 34-year-old Mamdani speaking in Arabic with Lebanese accentwent viral on social media in the Middle East. In it he smiles, drinks mint tea and jokes: “I know what you’re thinking – I could be your son-in-law in Damascus.”
In the same video, Mamdani, who calls Israel an “apartheid regime” and the Gaza war “genocide,” tries “Kunefe from Nablus” – a traditional dessert made from kadaif, cheese and orange syrup.
Reaction from Palestine and Iran
IN Nablus 26-year-old student Saleh called Mamdani’s victory “incredible”: “A Muslim became the mayor of a city where more Jews live than Tel Aviv – this is crazy!”
Palestinian Rami Kuhunwho works for an international humanitarian organization, said the election results “gave a little hope.” He believes that attention to the tragedy in Gaza “should lead to political consequences, directly or indirectly positive for the Palestinians.”
IN Iran Mamdani’s victory was widely covered by state media, which emphasized that the new mayor is Shia, like most Iranians. Its origins are from Uganda and Indian roots have drawn comparisons with the predicament of migrants in other countries in the region.
New symbol of change
The victory of Mamdani, the Ugandan-born son of Indian migrants, was an example of the political rise of a man from a minority to the top of American politics. For the Arab world, he became something more than just the mayor of New York – symbol of the possible.
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