Al-Qalam 
The Claremont Main Road Masjid community of Cape Town is proud to celebrate the remarkable achievement of Zohran Kwame Mamdani, whose formative years were shaped, in small part, within our congregation.
Zohran began his Islamic education at the CMRM Saturday morning madrasa in the early 1990s while living in Cape Town with his family and attending St. George’s Grammar School in Mowbray.
His father, Professor Mahmood Mamdani, then held the Chair of African Studies at the University of Cape Town and once delivered a memorable pre-khutbah address at our masjid.
It is inspiring to see how Zohran’s early South African experiences, though modest, made a lasting impression on his political consciousness and helped shape his creative, community-based approach to politics.
His historic victory in the New York City mayoral election stands as a testament to his commitment to social justice and grassroots organizing.
As South African social justice activists, we can now learn from Zohran’s example, how to practice progressive politics that resonate with new generations and build bridges across race, class, and faith.
His campaign, grounded in policies such as universal childcare, rent freezes, and city-run grocery stores, reflects a deep concern for the well-being of working-class families.
Zohran’s victory brings renewed hope to marginalized communities worldwide striving for a more just, equitable and compassionate society.
We pray that his leadership continue to embody the values of compassion, justice, and service that lie at the heart of our shared faith and humanity.
Claremont Main Road Masjid Board
Cape Town
