Salaam New York

Mamdani's ideologies stem from his family, his relationships, and the arts he has embraced

- VEENU SANDHU

There has been a development in New York that challenges Donald Trump's America, where certain subjects—such as diversity, inclusion, immigrants, and Palestine—have become difficult to venture into. It is the primary victory of Zohran Kwame Mamdani in the mayoral election, one that makes him likely to become New York City's first Indian-American and first Muslim mayor if he wins against the Republican candidate in November.

The 33-year-old Democratic candidate, who is a former Republican, was born to immigrant parents, supports Palestine, has a socialist agenda for New York, including free childcare and rent cap, feels strongly about climate change, wants to tax wealthy Big Apple residents, and increase corporate tax. His pro-Palestine slogan, "Globalise the intifada (rebellion or uprising)", has his opponents gunning for him and the American media dissecting his politics, but he has stood his ground.

In many ways, Mamdani symbolises multiculturalism, which stems from the family he comes from, the relationships he has forged, and the arts he has embraced.