TODAY’S PAPER | January 03, 2026 | EPAPER

WATCH: New York Mayor Mamdani tears up during conversation with Pakistani woman

Samina from Lahore tells 34-year-old mayor 'honesty is visible in your eyes'


Web Desk January 03, 2026 1 min read
New York City mayor, Zohran Mamdani, speaks to the media following casting a vote in the New York City mayoral election, in a park in Astoria, Queens borough of New York City, U.S., November 4, 2025. REUTERS

New York's newly elected mayor, Zohran Mamdani, failed to hold back his tears during a citizen meeting when a Pakistani woman engaged him in a heartfelt conversation.

34-year-old Mamdani is New York's first Muslim mayor and the youngest mayor of the century. He took his oath on Tuesday at City Hall, placing his hand on the Holy Quran that belonged to his grandparents.

Read: Zohran Mamdani sworn in on the Holy Quran as New York’s first Muslim mayor

After taking office, Mamdani opened his doors to New Yorkers and met with 142 residents, according to international media. People came with their problems and suggestions about the city, and the mayor assured them their concerns would be addressed.

Among them was a Pakistani woman who started by saying her English wasn't very good, so she'd written down her points. Introducing herself as Samina, she asked if the mayor could speak Urdu. Mamdani smiled and said that while he couldn't read Urdu, he could speak it.

When he asked which city in Pakistan she was from, Samina said Lahore. Mamdani responded that Lahore is a beautiful city and that he'd visited it once. Samina congratulated him on his election and told him that at a time when people around the world are divided, he has created hope and softness in people's hearts.

Read More: Zohran Mamdani: A Blueprint for the Future of Progressive Politics?

She said beautiful buildings in New York were one thing, but stated that with Mamdani’s arrival, people's hearts have changed. Samina stated that New Yorkers have more hope and happiness with Mamdani’s election as Mayor, saying that those higher-up and lower-down have the same faith in him.

"The honesty in your eyes cannot be hidden from anyone,” she told him. Her words created an emotional atmosphere, and tears welled up in Mamdani's eyes.

COMMENTS (2)

Lumdheeng | 22 minutes ago | Reply Zohran Mamdani if he doesn t take action against rising rents in New York freezing then New Yorkers will wish him good bye after 4 years. Even the Jews have voted him in spite of his support for Palestinians cause in Gaza.
Benjamin | 5 hours ago | Reply New Yorkers will watch carefully Zohran Mamdani and the first bad taste he got from India interfering internal affairs on Umar Khaleed who is in prison for antiIndia statements and threat to internal security of India. He has been elected by New Yorkers should focus on New York problems such as rising rent cost of living instead diverting towards international issues.
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