London Mayor Sadiq Khan and New York’s mayor-elect Zohran Mamdani share many similarities — both are left-leaning Muslim leaders of diverse global cities, both frequent targets of Islamophobic abuse — yet their political journeys and challenges differ sharply.
Khan, who has governed Britain’s capital since 2016, congratulated Mamdani on his win, saying New Yorkers had “chosen hope over fear, unity over division.” His own tenure, however, has been marked by constant attacks from conservative figures and former U.S. President Donald Trump, who once branded him a “stone-cold loser.”
Mamdani, 34, a democratic socialist who defeated former governor Andrew Cuomo and Republican Curtis Sliwa, has faced similar hate speech, with critics labeling him a “jihadist.” During his campaign, he vowed never to “change who I am or the faith I’m proud of.”
Both men have drawn criticism for their pro-Palestinian positions and faced pressure to strengthen ties with Jewish communities. Khan said it was “heartbreaking but not surprising” to see Mamdani face the same vitriol he has endured for years.
Despite their shared experiences, their backgrounds diverge. Khan, 55, is the son of a Pakistani bus driver and seamstress who rose from public housing to become a human rights lawyer and Labour MP before becoming London’s first Muslim mayor. Mamdani, the son of Ugandan-born academic Mahmood Mamdani and Indian filmmaker Mira Nair, grew up in New York and began his career helping tenants fight evictions before entering politics.
Zohran Mamdani’s NYC Win Inspires Ugandans
Both govern cities of over 8 million people struggling with similar urban challenges — rising crime, housing shortages, and unaffordable living costs. Analysts say Mamdani’s ambitious agenda, including rent freezes and free childcare, may collide with limited mayoral powers.
“The mayor of New York doesn’t have unlimited authority and will face strong opposition, including from the current president,” said Darren Reid, a U.S. politics expert at Coventry University.
Khan, by contrast, oversees London’s police and transport but shares control of housing and social services with local boroughs. His major achievements include expanding free school meals and freezing public transport fares. His push to clean up London’s air through the Ultra Low Emission Zone (ULEZ) has sparked protests but ultimately boosted his popularity.
Political analyst Tony Travers noted that both men represent cities often envied — and resented — for their multicultural success. “They lead dynamic, diverse metropolises that are surprisingly peaceful and almost embarrassingly successful,” he said.
Source: AP