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New York Elected a Muslim Mayor on New Year's Day 2026 - The Voices Behind This Historic Moment

By Daisy Khan

Jan 12, 2026

January 1, 2026 wasn't just another New Year's Day in New York City. Deep underground in the Old City Hall subway station, a beautiful relic from 1904 closed 80 years ago to the day, Zohran Kwame Mamdani placed his hand on two Qurans and became the 112th mayor of New York City. The youngest mayor in over a century. The first Muslim mayor. South Asian. Born in Africa. One Quran was historic, on loan from the New York Public Library. The other belonged to his grandmother, grounding his entire public service in faith.

The ceremony signaled what kind of administration this would be. Congresswoman Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez delivered opening remarks. United States Senator Bernie Sanders, a Jewish leader, administered the oath to the first Muslim mayor, symbolizing their joint commitment to social justice. Mayor Mamdani stood flanked by clergy representing multiple faiths, celebrating New York's rich religious tapestry. In this special inauguration day episode of WISE Women with Daisy Khan, Dr. Daisy Khan brings together two guests instrumental in making this victory possible: Dr. Debbie Almontaser, senior advisor for Engage Action Metro New York, and Rabbi Ellen Lippmann, founding rabbi of Kolot Chayeinu, share the insider story of this historic moment that 25 years ago would have seemed impossible.

The Moment His Finger Shook on the Podium  

Dr. Debbie Almontaser knew Zohran Mamdani during his early days running for assembly during COVID. What captured her heart was his smile and way of connecting with people, his ability to listen intently. After he won that seat, they reconnected at Somos Puerto Rico where he asked for her support in his mayoral run. The turning point when she realized he was going somewhere was January when his social media presence became electrifying. After Engage Action's screening committee ranked him number one on all issues the community cared about, especially affordability, he just skyrocketed.

Then came the horrific Islamophobic attacks by Eric Adams and Andrew Cuomo. Zohran's team decided he had to make a public statement at a mosque in the Bronx. When he walked in that morning, Debbie could see he was shook up. She grabbed him and hugged him like one of her own kids. As he gave his speech, she stood next to him and saw his index finger on the podium shaking. She was wearing sunglasses. Her eyes were swelling with tears. She wanted to show strength next to him. That afternoon, a former reporter emailed saying seeing her stand with Zohran reminded them of her 2007 forced resignation, which was a grave injustice. They believed his win would be a true vindication for what she experienced.

35% of NYC Jews Supported Him Despite Thousand Rabbis Signing Opposition  

Rabbi Ellen Lippmann faced opposition from colleagues across the country. A thousand rabbis nowhere near New York City signed a letter critical of Zohran, urging people not to vote for him. Rabbis in major NYC synagogues told congregants not to support him. She became part of Jews for Zohran to counter distasteful and hateful messages from parts of her own community. One colleague asked why they emphasized being Jewish. Her answer: Because so many Jews expressed hate for him. We want to say loud and clear we are Jews who are for Zohran.

In the end, 35 to 40% of NYC Jews supported him. That's huge but being downplayed. Jews for Zohran knocked on thousands of doors as part of his 104,000 volunteers. To Jews who are petrified, Rabbi Lippmann says she believes him when he commits to addressing anti-Semitism alongside Islamophobia and all forms of hate. Jews cannot be safe if Muslim New Yorkers are not safe. We are intertwined with all neighbors.

What convinced them he was genuine? Debbie watched business sharks spend 45 minutes presenting concerns. He responded to every point without writing anything down. She's never known anyone who listens like he does. Rabbi Lippmann noted he came twice to her synagogue not to campaign but just to sit and learn what their prayer service looked like. He visited rabbis who opposed him to discuss his determination to counter anti-Semitism.

Twenty-Five Years After 9/11, New York Chose Unity  

Debbie reminds everyone of both the moment and movement. Twenty-five years ago, 9/11 devastated the city, creating backlash against Muslims, Arabs, and South Asians. Fast forward to 2025, a Muslim South Asian man was fully embraced and elected by New Yorkers who said he speaks their language about affordability and fresh ideas. Muslims can't take even a quarter of the credit because their numbers aren't that big. It was the larger community.

This is a movement because Zohran spoke to young people who felt disenchanted and unheard. What election ever had 104,000 volunteers for a city race? Presidential races may not have that many. Rabbi Lippmann co-founded the Children of Abraham Peacewalk post-9/11, bringing faiths together through Brooklyn for 15 years. Daisy observes that despite recent tensions, communities weren't torn at the seams because deep relationships of trust held. We didn't agree, but we were on the same page.

Is Mamdani good for the Jews? Rabbi Lippmann says yes, because democracy is good for the Jews. Multicultural democracy is exactly what the Jewish community needs. What could be better than this welcoming city embracing its first Muslim mayor? It's an astonishing achievement to celebrate. Good for all of us. Good for the next generation. At the end of the day, we all want the same things. Equity, inclusion, and dignity.

This is Wise Women with Daisy Khan because every story matters. The journey ends not with what we acquire but with what we become. For more such inspiring stories and discussion, like, follow, and connect with Dr Daisy Khan.

#WISEWomenwithDaisyKhan #WISEWomen #ZohranMamdani #Inauguration2026 #NYC #MuslimMayor #DebbieAlmontaser #RabbiEllenLippmann #JewishMuslimUnity #CoalitionBuilding #Democracy #MulticulturalNYC

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 Guest Bio:     

Dr. Debbie Almontaser is an award-winning educator, community organizer, and Founder and CEO of Bridging Cultures Group, Inc.. She founded the Khalil Gibran International Academy, the first Arabic-English dual-language public school in the U.S., and became a leading voice against Islamophobia following her forced resignation. A senior advisor with Engage Action Metro New York, she helped mobilize Muslim voters and build coalitions during Zohran Mamdani’s NYC mayoral campaign.

Rabbi Ellen Lippmann s the founder and rabbi of Kolot Chayeinu in Brooklyn. She previously served as East Coast Director of MAZON and led the Jewish Women’s Program at the New 14th Street Y. A longtime social justice leader, she serves on the board of T’ruah and was the first social justice chair of the Women’s Rabbinic Network. Ordained by Hebrew Union College–Jewish Institute of Religion, she was named one of The Jewish Forward’s 36 Most Inspiring Rabbis in 2013.

 WISE Women with Daisy Khan 

Where Muslim voices rise, bridges are built, and history's unsung heroines reclaim their light.

WISE Women with Daisy Khan amplifies Muslim voices speaking truth about anti-Muslim bias, educates non-Muslims to become upstanders, and restores the stories of extraordinary women erased from history. We reclaim faith as a force for good while building bridges between East and West—turning fear into understanding, one conversation at a time. In a world shaped by misinformation and silence, we create space for honest dialogue. Muslims share lived experiences, pain, and hope, transforming personal stories into conversations that demand to be heard. Our episodes empower listeners to challenge stereotypes, reject discrimination, and lead with empathy—because understanding begins with listening. At its core, WISE Women confronts the distortion of religion for political gain and reclaims it as a source of justice, equality, and courage. This isn’t just a podcast—it’s a bridge between divided communities and a vision of what’s possible.

Welcome to WISE Women—where wisdom meets courage, and voices become bridges.

News [Source: CBS Evening News]

A man sent a hateful message to a Muslim candidate. He responded with a call for help, article by Steve Hartman

https://www.cbsnews.com/news/a-man-sent-a-hateful-message-to-a-muslim-candidate-he-responded-with-a-call-to-help/

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