New York’s first Muslim mayor reflects on Ramadan: ‘My favourite month of the year’
Mamdani plans iftar meals with firefighters, delivery workers and night-shift employees across the city's five boroughs
NEW YORK, United States (MNTV) – New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani began his fast with a joke and a message Wednesday as the city’s more than one million Muslim residents marked the first day of Ramadan.
“Right now, I feel parched,” Mamdani quipped to reporters, before turning serious.
“This is a month of reflection and solidarity,” he said, adding that Ramadan means far more than abstaining from food and water between sunrise and sunset.
Mamdani, the city’s first Muslim mayor, called Ramadan his favourite time of year, citing its spirit of community and personal reflection.
He attended a housing event after beginning his own fast and posted a Ramadan Mubarak greeting on YouTube to wish residents a blessed month.
To mark the occasion, Mamdani shared an Instagram video of his iftar plate — a spread that blended Middle Eastern staples like falafel, kebabs, hummus, and dolmas with South Asian favourites including pakoras, jalebi, and samosas, reflecting both the diversity of New York’s Muslim community and his own multicultural upbringing across Uganda and multiple continents.
The mayor plans to host iftar meals throughout the month with working New Yorkers — firefighters, delivery workers, and night-shift employees among them — visiting all five boroughs while continuing his official duties.
At the Islamic Cultural Center of New York, director Yahaya Abubakar noted the significance of the moment, saying the centre welcomed around 1,000 worshippers on the first day of fasting.
Council Member Yusef Salaam described Ramadan as a time for self-reflection and personal growth.
Sheikh Imam Chernor Sa’ad Jalloh added that the month is “a time to strengthen your connection with God, not merely to focus on worldly achievements.”
Senior aide Zara Rahim confirmed Mamdani will observe the fast in full while carrying out his mayoral responsibilities.
We must take charge of our narrative. Research indicates that 92% of their Muslim coverage is negative. Help us change that.
Have Your Say!
Have you been affected by the issues raised in this story? Please share your experiences by emailing haveyoursay@soundvision.com.
Please include a contact number if you are willing to speak to a Muslim Network TV’s representative. You can also get in touch in the following ways:
Tweet: @MuslimNetworkTV
