Maple Observer - Zohran Mamdani: An inspiration for immigrants

In Kurdish myth, Kawa Asinngar, a blacksmith, lived under the rule of the tyrant King Zahak, who carried two serpents on his shoulders.

A court physician advised Zahak that the only way to keep the serpents satisfied and preserve his own life was to feed them the brains of two children each day. After losing family members to this cruelty, Kawa refused to accept the injustice and led a rebellion, killing Zahak.

The people celebrated his victory, and in Kurdish culture, the name ‘Kawa’ is often given to anyone who stands against tyranny and dictatorship. The myth has come to symbolize freedom, resistance to tyranny, and the triumph of justice. Zahak embodies relentless oppression, while Kawa’s uprising shows how a single person can rise against it.

The landmark victory of Zohran Mamdani’s election on November 4 as the 111th mayor of New York City evokes the legend of Kawa, an uprising against oppression and a beacon of hope. Mamdani has not slain a tyrant king, but his victory was far more than an ordinary mayoral win. It became a global moment, an unexpected political phenomenon that drew attention from New York to Nairobi, Toronto to Tokyo. Immigrants across North America and the world celebrated his win as if it were their own, while others watched with caution. As I witnessed Mamdani’s courage and determination, I could see another Kawa, but in real life. For millions long told they do not belong, his rise from the son of immigrant parents to the most powerful municipal office in the United States felt like a breakthrough.

At the time Mamdani emerged, millions of immigrants and refugees in the U.S. and North America were facing serious challenges. Day by day, U.S. President Donald Trump’s statements and policies grew harsher, threatening, abusing, and insulting immigrants.

Trump and some of his allies spread harmful stereotypes about immigrants, influencing public attitudes across North America.

Trump and some of his allies spread harmful stereotypes, portraying some refugees and immigrants as criminals, terrorists, or opportunists trying to take advantage of governments and even weaponizing public health to scapegoat them. In my experience, this rhetoric in the U.S. also affected immigrants in Canada and other countries, leaving many feeling marginalized. In this context, a young Muslim socialist immigrant, Zohran Kwame Mamdani, stepped forward. He frankly challenged Trump’s language and policies and quickly became a broader voice of resistance. Mamdani emphasized that immigrants and refugees are central to New York’s future, highlighting their skills, education, and role in powering the city. Many came to North America to escape dictatorships, seek better opportunities, improve their quality of life, and continue their learning.

Mamdani resonates with immigrants because of his diverse background. An immigrant, a Socialist Muslim, and the son of a Punjabi Hindu mother, he was born in Uganda and raised in New York after age seven, embodying a truly multicultural experience. People of colour and immigrants see him as a representative of their communities, making him a unifying voice across the U.S., Canada and beyond. He has stood against Islamophobia, anti-immigrant policing, and the influence of multimillionaires and billionaires. At the same time, he has championed immigrant-friendly policies, gaining support through initiatives such as stronger tenant protections, expanded public transit, safeguards for delivery and gig workers, and assistance for undocumented people, including access to legal services for asylum seekers and healthcare regardless of status.

Mamdani is more a symbol of hope than just a mayor, showing that immigrants can reach positions of real power. His story proves that prejudice, limited resources, and societal bias can be challenged through persistence. By breaking stereotypes, his rise signals to immigrants facing discrimination that talent and perseverance can be recognized. His success challenges myths that immigrants are a burden, inspiring them to vote, engage in politics and run for office. Mamdani’s victory also shows that leadership can reflect a multicultural society, validating the identities of minority communities.

Another key point is that many immigrants have felt pressure to downplay their identity, hiding their names, religion, language, ethnicity, or country of origin, often because of past racial prejudice and discrimination. Mamdani showed that it is possible to embrace who you are and express your identity. In his victory speech, he did not shy away from his identity and loudly declared, “I am Muslim. I am a democratic socialist. And most damning of all, I refuse to apologize for any of this.” He also emphasized, “New York will remain a city of immigrants: a city built by immigrants, powered by immigrants and, as of tonight, led by an immigrant.”

Islamophobes, anti-immigrant groups, and wealthy political opponents poured millions into campaigns to discredit him,, but they failed with Mamdani. Money, media influence, and entrenched privilege can no longer hide the truth. We see it clearly in Mamdani’s victory. For decades, courageous voices were silenced, but now leaders like Mamdani are rising. Across the U.S., Canada, and Europe, more figures like him will emerge, like mushrooms after the rain.

A milestone, but challenges remain

Mamdani’s victory is a milestone reminiscent of Kawa’s rebellion, seen through the eyes of immigrants and refugees. Nevertheless, achieving all his campaign promises is far from guaranteed; no mayor, administrator, or leader can fully deliver everything they pledge during an election. Opponents of Mamdani and anti-immigrant forces across North America seize on this uncertainty. Donald Trump and his allies have used every tool to undermine him, and Trump’s threats to cut federal funding could leave New York with significant budget gaps. Mamdani still needs the approval of Governor Kathy Hochul and Democratic legislative leaders, some of whom may resist his progressive agenda. His signature proposals, such as free buses and universal childcare, will require careful negotiation and compromise.

Mamdani has already faced Islamophobic and anti-immigrant attacks, and many observers expect these to intensify once he takes office in January 2026.Any misstep could be framed as a failure for immigrant communities. Trump and his allies seek to break Mamdani, viewing any setback as a broader defeat for immigrants and people of colour. But these obstacles do not diminish the significance of his election. Structural constraints, entrenched bureaucracy, and political opposition mean that even partial success would be meaningful progress. Mamdani’s victory is both symbolic and practical: it proves that immigrants can attain positions of power, challenge stereotypes, and inspire communities. Even if political realities limit what he achieves in office, the symbolic and inspirational impact of his win will endure.