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Uganda-born American Zohran Mamdani declared victory in the Democratic primary for New York City mayor after beating former New York governor Andrew Cuomo in a landslide win during the first round of voting. If elected, the 33-year-old democratic socialist will be the first Muslim to lead the US’ largest city.

The election for mayor of New York is scheduled in November, and Mamdani seemingly just won the ticket to contest as the main Democrat candidate.

“In the words of Nelson Mandela: it always seems impossible until it’s done. My friends, it is done. And you are the ones who did it. I am honoured to be your Democratic nominee for the Mayor of New York City,” Mamdani, who is pro-Palestine, tweeted early Wednesday morning.

As expected, the city’s roughly one million Muslim population, as well as people from around the world, are celebrating his win. Many took to X to congratulate the mayor-to-be, with one user saying their account had been temporarily blocked for “liking too many Mamdani celebration tweets.”

Another shared that in a world where criminals continue to win elections, “I will allow myself this one moment of optimism and hope,” highlighting how Mamdani’s win symbolises changing power dynamics.

Netizens also recognised the importance of this moment for the pro-Palestine struggle in the US, calling it a “defeat for the Zionist lobby.”

Mamdani’s victory was also welcomed by Pakistanis who highlighted how this was a rare example where “principled politics won”.

Comedian Shehzad Ghias also took to his Instagram to show support for Mamdani.

There is also a level of protectiveness that the online community is showing for Mamdani in the face of the unfair hate he has been experiencing.

A few users took the opportunity to make light of the tense atmosphere created by the Iran-Israel war. They used tropes often weaponised to demean Muslim candidates (case in point, Mayor of London Sadiq Khan) to play on unrealistic fears people have of Mamdani turning New York into “the Islamic caliphate of New Yorkistan.”

Such tweets play an important role in highlighting the Islamophobia Mamdani faces despite his popularity, with unfounded claims linking him to terrorist groups.

The joy felt by his victory is loud. His entire campaign was a testament to his stand for justice. Billing himself as Trump’s “worst nightmare,” Mamdani champions social policies like free bus travel, raising the minimum wage to $30 per hour by 2030, and a tax hike for the wealthy.

But what caught people’s attention were his hilarious videos, including one where he spoke entirely in Urdu as Bollywood music played in the background. Mamdani leveraged his South Asian roots to win the hearts of young desis. And it has worked wonders for him.

So while hate will exist in the world forever, it cannot overshadow the love that is radiating towards Mamdani, and New Yorkers, it seems, want to be on the right side of history.