Mamdani New York

The Documentary Podcast

BBC

Society & Culture, Documentary, Personal Journals

4.3 • 2.6K Ratings

🗓️ 17 October 2025

⏱️ 27 minutes

🔗️ Recording | iTunes | RSS

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Summary

Zohran Mamdani catapulted on to New York’s political scene this summer when he captured the Democratic nomination to run for Mayor this fall. A young politician, Mamdani campaigned on issues that mattered to New Yorkers including lowering the cost of living, but unlike other candidates, was not shy about making his Muslim faith a central talking point on the campaign trail. We explore how a single decision galvanized voters of different faiths across America’s biggest city, and delve into the social issues that divided those casting ballots – including the war in Gaza, Israel’s right to exist as a Jewish state, and the divisiveness of the phrase, “globalise the intifada,” which Mamdani refused on multiple occasions to denounce. What was it about Mamdani that led Muslim voters to feel like they had a voice who will represent them as Mayor of New York City? Do Jewish voters feel let down? We sit down with voters of varying views to find out.

Transcript

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0:00.0	BBC Sounds, Music, Radio, Podcasts.
0:08.4	It's just past midnight on a Wednesday in June.
0:11.9	A beaming politician clad in a dark suit strides confidently onto a stage to face a room packed with adoring supporters.
0:20.1	He stares into the crowd full of admiration.
0:23.6	I will be your Democratic nominee for the mayor of New York City.
0:28.6	The man on stage isn't just any politician looking to unseat an incumbent mayor in America's biggest city.
0:36.6	The man on stage is Iran-Mam Dani, a 33-year-old Democratic Socialist, who for much of his
0:42.4	months-long campaign was polling in the single digits. He catapulted to prominence on promises
0:48.0	of lowering the cost of living, but his faith played a starring role in his message.
0:53.3	And if he wins in the November general election, he could be New York City's first Muslim mayor.
1:01.9	I'm Victoria Craig, and you're listening to the documentary from the BBC World Service.
1:06.9	In this episode of Heart and Soul, which focuses on the intersection of faith and culture in communities around the world,
1:13.1	we'll explore the role religion has played in fueling Mamdani's unlikely bid for New York City's top job,
1:19.0	and will ask voters how their own beliefs are factoring into the decisions they'll be making at ballot boxes this autumn.
1:28.8	For Zeran Mamdani, the road to Gracie Mansion, the official New York City mayor's
1:33.5	residence in Manhattan, began last October.
1:36.7	In his first campaign video, working people are being pushed out of the city they built.
1:42.4	A mayor could change this.
1:44.1	We see Mamdani strolling down a sunny
1:46.6	city street wearing a white kirta. It's a straight cut, tunic kind of top, commonly worn in South
1:52.0	Asia. It's as if he seeks to shed the image of a traditional politician and lean into the qualities,
1:58.4	culture, and beliefs that set him apart from his establishment competitors.
	...

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