New York City's leading mayoral candidate, Zohran Mamdani, asked for support from the city's Arabic-speaking community in an all-Arabic video posted on his social media on Saturday.
“Now, I know what you're thinking. I might look like your brother-in-law from Damascus, but my Arabic needs some work,” Mamdani started the video with. The election is scheduled for this Tuesday, although early voting has been ongoing.
In his video, Mamdani promises to freeze rent for over two million city residents, make buses free and fast, and deliver universal childcare to all families in his efforts to make the city easier to live in and raise children.
“And while I probably won’t convince your uncle that the Nabulski knaffeh in Steinway is better than New Jersey’s, I promise I will fight with my strength to make it easier to open your small business, pay your rent, and build your future in New York,” he continues.
In the video, Mamdani is also seen petting a bodega cat, asking it in Arabic if it is doing okay, and laughing alongside women in hijabs.
“I’m from you, and for you,” he concludes.
Mamdani, set to be NYC's first Muslim mayor, is known for being a long-time critic of Israeli politics and an advocate for Palestinian rights.
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