Democracy is Still Alive

Ali Kiafar
Urban Planner, Researcher in Urban Discourses, Social Activist

Today, November 4, 2025, what was not believable, let alone predictable, is less than half a year
ago, came to an astonishing reality: The general election for the mayor of New York City, with
8.5 million population the most populous city in the U.S., the richest city in the country, and
undoubtedly the politically heaviest weight center in the continent was won by a large margin by
A 34-year-old son of immigrants who just a couple of short years ago was so unknown that when he
started his campaign a large percentage of the US voters did not even know his name. Similarly,
many New Yorkers were very insufficiently aware of the background of the next mayor of New
York City, even though he has served since 2021 as a member of the New York State Assembly
from the 36th district, representing the Queens neighborhood. But through a strong campaign,
staying with his beliefs and pollical stance, the disciplined Zohran Kwame Mamdani, an
American politician, is now the mayor-elect of New York City.

Zohran Mamdani is a member of the Democratic Party and the Democratic Socialists of
America. On June 24, 2025, short of six months ago, he won the Democratic Party’s primary
election, defeating Andrew Cuomo, the very powerful former governor of the State of New York
and the son of one of the politically well-known and well-connected families of New York, a
family with over half a century of significant political influence. Andrew’s father, Mario Cuomo,

who served as Governor of New York State for many years, was not only one of the most
influential Italian-American politicians in New York but also one of the most respected and
heavyweight figures within the Democratic Party. The outcome of that vote was so unexpected
that it astonished not only the majority of political observers and analysts within New York, but
also those across the United States—and even beyond its borders. Indeed, it drew widespread
attention from ordinary citizens as well. And now, he has accomplished one of the most difficult
political tasks, reaching by a large margin, the finish line of a trek. He just turned the truly
inconceivable beacon of hope for a generation and arguable generation to come to the political
scene in the next waves.
Given the implications of this electoral outcome—its causes, consequences, and the conditions
that led to it—this event is of particular interest to politically engaged Iranians around the world,
especially those residing in the United States. Even amidst today's turbulent global context,
marked by widespread violence and conflict, the significance of this political development
warrants serious attention.

The election of Zohran Mamdani, a socialist, a Muslim Shia, and a progressive, will not only
have an immediate impact on the political landscape and electoral dynamics of New York City,
but also it will certainly reverberate more widely in the future.

What Happened Today?
Zohran Mamdani defeated Andrew Cuomo, again. The powerful and long-established figure in
New York politics, Cuomo, previously a democrat, ran as an independent, hoping the
contributions of the rich and endorsements of the politicians will bring him to the top, over
Mamdani and Curtis Sliwa the candidate from the Republication Party.
Mamdani’s victory for sure will wield considerable influence on the political stage, both in the
city and across the state of New York and even other regions. Moreover, on a broader scale,
across the entire United States, Mamdani has already become a beacon of hope for
many—particularly among the younger generation—who are seeking meaningful change in the
political landscape and in those who have had the seats of legislation and government to
themselves for long.

In just one sentence: In recent years, such a remarkable political event in the U.S.—especially in
cities where seasoned political figures typically maintain tight control over elections—has been
virtually unprecedented.

What are Zohran Mamdani’s socio-political stances
Among Zohran Mamdani’s well-known positions is his outspoken support for Palestinian rights
and his clear opposition to what he describes as Israel’s genocide and its policies toward
Palestinians, particularly in Gaza. Mamdani is a member of the Democratic Socialists of
America (DSA), a political movement that aligns with progressive and socialist values. He is
also a supporter of Bernie Sanders, the independent, left-leaning senator from the State of
Vermont, though Mamdani’s political stance is considered even further to the left than Sanders
himself.
Given the political shockwave he has sent through New York — a city long dominated by veteran
politicians backed by powerful interests groups and individuals –gaining a deeper knowledge of
Zohran Mamdani, is significantly vital
This relatively young man has a fascinating background. His father, Mahmood Mamdani, and his
mother, Mira Nair, are of Indian heritage who spent time living in Uganda. Zohran himself was
born in Kampala, Uganda. When he was five, the family moved to Cape Town, South Africa,
and two years later, they immigrated to the United States.
His father is a distinguished academic who has taught at Columbia University, one of the world’s
leading institutions. His mother, originally from Punjab, India, is an internationally acclaimed
filmmaker. Some of her most notable films include:
Salaam Bombay, Monsoon Wedding, Mississippi Masala, and The Namesake.
Zohran & his wife, Rama, is a 27-year-old Syrian artist who works as a painter and animator.
In an interesting personal detail, Zohran’s middle name—Kwame—was chosen by his father as a
tribute to Kwame Nkrumah, the influential Ghanaian leader and pan-Africanist thinker.

Among Zohran Mamdani’s more striking initiatives is his co-founding the Bowdoin College
chapter of the Students for Justice in Palestine. The idea that an organization bearing such a
name and mission could exist in the heart of the United States—even in a liberal-leaning city like
New York—is remarkable, and a testament to the depth and courage of Mamdani’s convictions.
Zohran Mamdani’s Policy Proposals
As an urban planner, researcher and social activist, it is very refreshing heartwarming for me that
Zohran Mamdani’s key policy proposals focus primarily on the issue of housing and public
transportation and people’ daily needs—all central concerns in his campaign platform. His policy
proposals are built around five core principles:
1. Rent stabilization to prevent further rent increases for over two million apartment
renters in New York City.
2. Construction of 200,000 new affordable housing units targeted at low-income
residents.
3. Free public transportation, especially through a robust system of city buses.
4. State-run grocery stores to ensure access to affordable food.
5. Public investment in housing—a major pillar of his economic platform as well—by
mobilizing state and city financial resources to fund housing development.
Mamdani’s prioritization of housing, particularly from his position as a socialist politician and
advocate for working-class and low-income communities, takes on even greater significance in
the context of New York City & deepening housing crisis. The city faces a severe shortage of
affordable housing units, alongside some of the highest rent prices in the country. Mamdani’s
proposals aim directly at addressing this critical and growing issue.
What to Expect Next?
Given that the majority of New Yorkers lean Democratic it is very likely that he might be able
accomplish a good number of initiatives he campaigned on, although he will certainly run into
opposition by politicians of the other party and those who do not want to give power and/or
wealth to those who have been deprived of either and both for very long. Worthy to note that
Republicans and wealthy campaign contributors, even the historically established Democratic
donners, who were against Mamdani’s policies, especially his stance towards Israel, shifted their
funds to Mamdani’s main rival, Andrew Cumo. Even Donald Trump, the staunch anti-
Democratic Republican president endorsed Cuomo albeit too little, too late.
All of these developments and unabashed actions, however, showed, the Democracy is still
alive in this country.
Zohran Mamdani, the New York mayor-elect, he already made history in multiple ways: when he
takes office, he will be New York City’s first Muslim mayor, the first millennial to hold the
office, the first mayor of South Asian descent, and the bearer of many other groundbreaking
“firsts.”

Dr. Ali Kiafar
Urban Planner, Researcher in Urban Discourses, Social Activist