Zohran Mamdani’s political rise in New York reflects a network of activists, philanthropies, and advocacy organizations rather than a purely grassroots movement. The 34-year-old socialist politician began his involvement as a student activist and has since cultivated support from groups and individuals that have actively shaped his career.
Mamdani’s early political activity included canvassing for City Council candidate Khader El-Yateem in 2017 alongside Palestinian-American activist Linda Sarsour, a co-founder of MPower Change. He later became connected with MPower Change and the Emgage network, organizations that focus on civic engagement among Muslim Americans and progressive causes.
Federal tax filings show these groups received nearly $2.5 million in grants from major philanthropies, including George Soros’s Open Society Foundations, the MacArthur Foundation, and the Ford Foundation. A spokesperson for Open Society emphasized that the grants predated Mamdani’s mayoral campaign and that the foundation does not fund political candidates.
Several Muslim advocacy organizations, including CAIR Action, the Islamic Circle of North America, and the Muslim Democratic Club of New York, have endorsed Mamdani and provided support through voter mobilization, social media campaigns, and fundraising. Collectively, these groups have annual revenues estimated at $24 million.
Mamdani has also received public support from several clerics with controversial histories. Imam Siraj Wahhaj, who previously served as a character witness for a convicted terrorist, donated to a fund linked to Mamdani’s campaign. Other supporters include Imam Talib Abdur-Rashid and Imam Khalid Latif, both active in political advocacy and community organizing. These associations have drawn scrutiny, though Mamdani and his campaign have not detailed the influence of these endorsements.
Critics describe Mamdani’s trajectory as carefully constructed, combining socialist activism, political organizing, and faith-based networks. Political commentator Dalia Al-Aqidi noted that Sarsour and her allies had “built the Mamdani machine piece by piece,” emphasizing the deliberate organization behind his rise.
Mamdani’s career highlights a political path largely shaped by activist networks, philanthropic funding, and endorsements from controversial figures, suggesting his ascent is the product of deliberate coordination rather than a spontaneous, grassroots movement.
