A New Era for Change: Empowering Muslim Political Organizing Through Zohran Mamdani’s Campaign

• In Event: International Migration Section Refereed Roundtables
  In Refereed Roundtable (60 minute): 05. Transnational politics / immigrant political participation

Abstract

Muslim political integration has evolved significantly since 9/11. With the rise of Islamophobia and marginalization of Muslim communities that continued afterward, Muslim political activist and community organizers focused on reframing the narrative of Muslims in New York by engaging in civic action. Organizing in their neighborhoods, Muslim Americans have created rapport within their ethnic communities and developed political associations to increase their presence in the political scene. All of this is based in grassroots organizing strategies and amplified by millennial and gen Z nuances. Mamdani’s mayoral campaign was historic in several ways but it was most notable for centering a Muslim political presence in NYC. Muslims are active voters and engaged in political action, however the discussion about their inclusion in NYC politics has been missing from the conversation about civic engagement. This paper sheds light on how Mamdani’s campaign amplified Muslim voters and their concerns. It also examines how their civic participation is reframing their communities’ misconstrued narrative post 9/11, and bringing them closer to political integration in America.

Author

• Nazreen Sameena Bacchus, SUNY-Farmingdale