The 2025 New York City mayor-elect celebrated Diwali with Kal Penn days before becoming the city’s first Indian-American Muslim and youngest mayor
Democratic socialist Zohran Mamdani has made history by winning the 2025 New York City mayoral election, becoming both the first Indian-American Muslim and the youngest person ever to hold the city’s top office.
Just days before his groundbreaking victory, Mamdani celebrated Diwali, the festival of lights, alongside actor and former White House staffer Kal Penn and his mother, acclaimed filmmaker Mira Nair.
Penn shared a heartwarming photo from the celebration on social media, calling it a night that embodied “a joyful meeting of culture and community.”
“Closing out Diwali tonight with a Zohran Mamdani campaign stop in Jackson Heights, Queens — serving sweets to the community with the brilliant Mira Nair,” Penn wrote.
He added a reflection on the neighborhood’s legacy:
“Jackson Heights is a cultural hub for the South Asian community, rooted in the Hart-Cellar Immigration Act of 1965 and the Fair Housing Act, which opened it up to Black and Jewish New Yorkers as well. Wishing everyone inclusion and light over darkness in the coming year!”
A Viral Diwali Moment
The photos, featuring Mamdani, Penn, and Nair smiling amid festive lights, quickly went viral. The post drew warm responses from celebrities, including Rasika Dugal, who commented, “Happy Diwali,” and Poorna Jagannathan of Never Have I Ever, who wrote, “Yayyy Happy Diwali.”
For Mamdani, who campaigned on themes of inclusion, justice, and immigrant pride, Jackson Heights—New York’s South Asian epicenter—served as the ideal backdrop to his message of unity.
A Mayor for a New Generation
In his first post on X (formerly Twitter) after the election, Mamdani shared a video showing a New York City subway train arriving at City Hall Station, with the text “Zohran For New York City” flashing on the walls as a voice announced, “The next and last stop is City Hall.”
The 33-year-old will officially take office on January 1, 2026.
During his victory speech, Mamdani thanked New Yorkers for embracing a new vision of leadership:
“We’ll fight for you because we are you. The future is in our hands. My friends, we have toppled a political dynasty.”
He also issued a pointed message to former U.S. President Donald Trump, saying:
“Donald Trump, since I know you’re watching, I have four words for you: turn the volume up.”
Mamdani added powerfully,
“To get to any of us, you will have to get through all of us. If anyone can show a nation betrayed by Donald Trump how to defeat him, it’s the city that gave rise to him.”
