LI South Asians welcome Zohran Mamdani's election, as one of their own makes history

Farrah Mozawalla, who leads a Syosset-based research nonprofit, is enthusiastic about Queens Assemb. Zohran Mamdani becoming the next mayor of New York City.

Mamdani stunned the Democratic establishment in besting former Gov. Andrew M. Cuomo, in both the Democratic primary in June and in Tuesday's general election. Republican Curtis Sliwa, the Guardian Angels founder, placed a distant third.

The win thrilled many of Long Island's South Asians. Even though they don't live in the city, some said they looked favorably upon Mamdani's focus on helping the working class. He campaigned on a platform of freezing rents, building more affordable housing, and providing free child care and bus transportation.

"From my circle, everyone is super excited," said Mozawalla, CEO of the Asian American Institute for Research and Engagement. Like the mayor-elect, she is Muslim; and she's of Indian and Pakistani descent.

Mamdani, 34, was born in Uganda to parents of Indian descent; at age 7 he immigrated to New York City with his parents, filmmaker Mira Nair and Columbia University professor Mahmood Mamdani. He will become the first South Asian and Muslim New York City mayor.

He has made his heritage a cornerstone of his campaign, talking openly about his own brushes with anti-Muslim bigotry and saying, in his speech on election night: "New York will remain a city of immigrants: a city built by immigrants, powered by immigrants and, as of tonight, led by an immigrant."

It's Mamdani's "energy, his enthusiasm, and just his transparency," that appeals to Mozawalla, of Woodbury. "I think it's a new era for government," she said in a phone interview with Newsday. "He speaks to the younger generation, to immigrants. It's someone who gives us a sense of hope."

Mamdani, a Democratic socialist, has weathered fierce criticism for what many call his far-left platform and political stance. Nassau County Republicans have vowed to be a bulwark against him.

He has also been accused of antisemitism because of statements he has made about Israel, its treatment of Palestinians, and its right to exist as a Jewish state. The issue came up repeatedly during the campaign, and Jewish leaders have expressed concern, along with President Donald Trump, who said on Truth Social that Mamdani was a "Jew hater." 

Mamdani has vigorously denied the accusations. “I’ve said at every opportunity that there is no room for antisemitism in this city, in this country. I’ve said that because that is something I personally believe,” he said.

Nevertheless, his connection with the South Asian community inside and outside the city is strong, say community leaders on Long Island, where their numbers are growing. 

The Asian population on Long Island, which includes those hailing from South Asian countries such as Afghanistan, Pakistan and India, has spiked to just over 40% in nearly a decade, rising from 173,648 in 2014 to 244,287 in 2023, according to the U.S. Census Bureau. Several communities in North Hempstead Town have large concentrations of Asians: Herricks, Lake Success, Manhasset Hills and Searingtown had Asian residents topping 50% in the 2020 census.

 "I don't think everybody is understanding the support Mamdani has here on Long Island," said Mozawalla. "If you look at the volunteers for him, many of them were from Long Island."

Newsday previously reported that Long Islanders donated more money to Mamdani than for all his opponents combined.

Standing outside the Apna Bazar Farmers Market in Hicksville on Thursday morning, Mahmud Salim, of Massapequa, said he had relatives in the Bronx who canvassed for Mamdani.

Of Mamdani, Salim said: "I think he's very open to the people. I think he's a very honest guy with all the community."

Shan Hamid, chairman of the New York South Asian Chamber of Commerce, based in Hicksville, said Mamdani's win "resonates, not only with the South Asian community, but other immigrants as well, especially given the attack on the immigrant community by the Trump administration. Now you see a ray of hope."

Hamid said, in a phone interview, while the chamber didn't endorse Mamdani because "we're a business organization," individual members could canvass for Mamdani if they wanted.

Hamid, who owns the restaurant Shaheen in Hicksville, said "we're giving out free sweets because he became mayor. There's a lot of celebration going on, not just in New York City but on Long Island and across the country."

Hamid said "bumps in the road" were likely during Mamdani's mayoralty. He noted the criticism the mayor-elect faced, with some calling him a terrorist.

Mozawalla noted "that Islamophobia is always there." She praised Mamdani for how he deals with it.

Some, though, were skeptical that Mamdani could deliver on his campaign promises. 

Bina Sabapathy, of Old Bethpage, a former president of the India Association of Long Island, said of Mamdani: "All his promises make me nervous." She listed, "Free housing, free transportation ... He's not going to increase rent for the people. So people who invested money in the building, in real estate, are they going to keep quiet?" She said she would prefer a focus on "creating more opportunities" so people can earn money for what they need.

A shopper at the Apna Bazar market had a similar concern.

One man, who didn't want his name used, said of Mamdani, "He just wanted to win the election. Nothing is going to be possible. Where is the money coming from?"

Farukh Abid, of East Meadow, who had stopped in the nearby Island Care Pharmacy, though, was supportive of Mamdani. Although "we are not connected to the five boroughs. Whatever he's saying, if he goes through with everything, it's good for our people," he said. "The people in the five boroughs, they are our people."