Many pastors in New York are rallying behind the city’s mayor-elect, Zohran Mamdani — New York’s first Muslim mayor.
In a video shared by Mamdani last month, church leaders could be seen gathering around him in prayer.
“Last week, I received the endorsement of nearly a dozen Black clergy in Crown Heights, including Bishop Orlando Findlayter,” Mandani wrote. “I’m so grateful for their support and this very meaningful and humbling prayer from Pastor Leo Colon.”
In his prayer, Bishop Findlayter asked for blessings for Mamdani as he approached the finish line of his campaign.
“We are praying for this young man, whom You have chosen for such a time as this,” Findlayter said. “Strengthen him, please, God. Guide him. Imbue him with wisdom. Give him the ability to know what is right for this season.”
The moment reflects Mamdani’s campaign efforts in recent weeks to unite New York’s diverse faith communities. As Religious News reported, Mamdani has been seen attending Diwali celebrations in Queens, visiting Baptist churches in Harlem, and joining Sukkot observances across the boroughs.
Rabbi Sharon Kleinbaum, emerita spiritual leader of Congregation Beit Simchat Torah in Manhattan, reportedly called for Muslims and Jews to build a shared future in the city, while Imam Khalid Latif, a former Muslim chaplain of the New York Police Department, praised Mamdani for speaking out against Islamophobia.
However, the prayers and praise from faith leaders come as New York City remains divided over its new mayor. While Mamdani has won support from many progressive Jewish voters with his proposals to make the city more equitable and affordable, others have expressed concern over his criticism of Israel. On the campaign trail, Mamdani said that Israel’s military actions in Gaza amount to genocide.
His comments echo the findings of the United Nations Independent International Commission of Inquiry on the Occupied Palestinian Territory, including East Jerusalem, and Israel, which concluded that Israel committed genocide in the Gaza Strip.
Mamdani, 34, will be the youngest mayor elected since 1892. He is due to be sworn in on 1 January 2026.