Zohran Mamdani Wears a Sweater Featuring Urdu Poetry by Faiz

Zohran Mamdani, recently elected as the mayor of New York City, gained worldwide attention when he was photographed wearing a black sweater featuring Urdu verses from the celebrated Pakistani poet Faiz Ahmad Faiz’s iconic lines from “Mujh Se Pehli Si Mohabbat”. 

The image, which showed Mamdani alongside his wife, quickly went viral across social media, with many viewers in Pakistan and beyond applauding the mayor for bringing Urdu poetry into a public, global-facing moment. It wasn’t just a fashion statement—observers saw Mamdani’s choice as a meaningful nod to cultural roots, literature and identity in the public domain.

Faiz’s poetry has long been associated with themes of love, resistance and justice and holds deep significance across South Asia and the diaspora. Mamdani has previously referenced Faiz in his public remarks, including reciting “Bol, ke lab azad-hain-tere” during his campaign, citing the poet’s words as a source of courage and reflection. 

The sweater imagery signals how symbols of cultural identity can surface in unexpected places—here, a New York City mayor’s wardrobe—and spark conversations about heritage, representation and literary resonance. Pakistani-American observers hailed the moment as one of pride; others noted how a single clothing item can bridge public office, literature and personal expression.

Beyond the viral image, the moment has reignited interest in Faiz’s work among younger audiences, especially those unfamiliar with Urdu poetry. Several social-media posts credited Mamdani’s act for prompting renewed reading and sharing of Faiz’s verses.

This article was previously published on bahrainmoments. To see the original article, click here