New York’s First Muslim Mayor Mamdani Marks Ramadan with Community Iftars Across City
The Mayor of New York City, Zohran Kwame Mamdani, has described becoming the first Muslim mayor of the city as both a profound honour and a responsibility, as he joined various Muslim communities and organisations for Ramadan gatherings across the city.
In a message reflecting on the holy month, Mamdani expressed gratitude to several groups that hosted him for iftar, suhoor and congregational prayers, noting that such gatherings strengthen solidarity and community bonds among New Yorkers.
“Being the first Muslim mayor of New York City is a profound honor — and a responsibility I do not take lightly. Every New Yorker who serves this city should feel its embrace in return,” Mamdani said.
The mayor noted that the Ramadan engagements allowed him to share meals, prayers and conversations with diverse Muslim communities across the city.
“As we enter the latter half of Ramadan, I’m grateful to the communities who opened their doors, shared their tables, and welcomed me to break bread alongside them. These moments remind us that solidarity is something we practice with one another every day,” he added.
Among the organisations he acknowledged was the FDNY Islamic Society, which hosted him for an iftar and highlighted the contributions of Muslim firefighters serving the city.
“Thank you to the FDNY Islamic Society for welcoming me to your iftar and for building community among Muslim firefighters who serve and protect New Yorkers every single day,” he said.
Mamdani also thanked Sakhi for South Asian Women for hosting an iftar focused on social justice and support for marginalized communities, noting the organisation’s efforts to ensure that individuals often overlooked are recognised and supported.
The mayor further expressed appreciation to the Al-Khoei Foundation for welcoming him to his first Jummah prayer as mayor, saying the experience made him feel at home in the community.
He also commended Black Muslims Now for hosting an iftar that created space for Black Muslim residents to gather, lead and uplift one another.
Special recognition was given to Muslim workers of the New York City Department of Sanitation who hosted an early morning suhoor gathering before reporting for duty during the city’s first blizzard in a decade.
“Thank you to the Muslim DSNY workers for hosting suhoor at 5 a.m. before working 12-hour shifts during our city’s first blizzard in 10 years,” Mamdani noted.
The mayor also acknowledged the contributions of Muslim educators in the United Federation of Teachers, as well as delivery workers organised under Los Deliveristas Unidos, praising their advocacy for dignity, safety and respect.
He concluded by thanking Muslim officers in the New York City Police Department who hosted him for iftar, commending their dedication to protecting residents across the city.
“Thank you to Muslim NYPD officers for hosting iftar and for risking your lives to keep New Yorkers safe,” he said.
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