December 25, 2025 | 01:30 pm
TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - New York City's Mayor-elect Zohran Mamdani has pledged to combat Islamophobia and anti-Palestinian racism as his top priorities when he assumes office next week. Mamdani, who will make history as the city's first Muslim mayor, made the pledge after a harassment campaign targeted Mustapha Kharbouch, a Palestinian student at Brown University.
Zohran Mamdani revealed on social media that Kharbouch had been doxxed and received death threats after being wrongly tied to a shooting incident. The targeting was sparked by a circulated photo of Kharbouch wearing a keffiyeh.
"As Mayor … I will make it my job to cherish, protect, and celebrate all New Yorkers and combat Islamophobia and anti-Palestinian racism at every corner,” Mamdani said on Tuesday, December 23, 2025.
In a private phone call, Zohran Mamdani discussed Kharbouch's academic background in international relations and anthropology, as well as his aspirations to pursue a PhD. Kharbouch had previously completed a summer internship program in New York City.
“I told Mustapha that we would love to have him back in New York City,” Mamdani said as reported by Anadolu.
Mamdani is scheduled to be inaugurated on January 1, 2026, on New Year's Day.
Read: Trump Meets New York City Mayor-elect Zohran Mamdani
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