Mira Nair' son Zohran Mamdani: Inside the love story of NYC Mayor candidate and his wife Rama Dawuji

Time of India

2 days ago

As the New York mayoral election heats up, tensions are running high—and so is the spotlight on unexpected candidates. Among them is Zohran Mamdani, the son of acclaimed filmmaker
, who has gone from underdog to serious contender in the race for City Hall.
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His rapid rise has stirred the political pot, drawing both admiration and ire—including from far-right activist and Donald Trump loyalist Laura Loomer.
Loomer, known for her inflammatory posts and failed congressional bid, recently lashed out at Mamdani on social media with a chilling warning: 'Get ready for another 9/11.' In her post, she labeled Mamdani a 'pro-HAMAS Muslim socialist' and raised alarm over his growing popularity, tapping into anti-Muslim fear-mongering that critics say is both dangerous and unfounded.
As Mamdani's name continues to dominate headlines, curiosity about his personal life has surged—especially his relationship with his wife, Rama Dawoudji, a Syrian artist living in Brooklyn. With fame comes a deeper look into the people behind the politics, and here we will look at the love story between Mamdani and his partner Rama Dawuji
The love story between Mamdani and Rama Dawuji
Though Zohran Mamdani has kept his personal life largely out of the public eye, the rare glimpses he's shared speak volumes about the quiet, intentional bond he shares with his wife, Rama Duwaji.
Until recently, Mamdani had only briefly acknowledged his relationship—mentioning in Interview Magazine that he had 'recently got married in a civil ceremony at the clerk's office.'
However he recently shared photos from their New York City civil ceremony on Instagram, writing: 'Three months ago, I married the love of my life, Rama, at the City Clerk's office.'
He continued, 'Rama isn't just my wife, she's an incredible artist who deserves to be known on her own terms.'
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In the same post he also criticized the trolls for targeting her on social media for her views and art. He said, "Now, right-wing trolls are trying to make this race-which should be about you-about her."
Rama Duwaji, 27, is a Syrian illustrator and ceramicist based in Brooklyn. Her work has appeared in The New Yorker, The Washington Post, and VICE, often exploring themes of identity, displacement, and belonging.
The couple got engaged and held their Nikkah—the Islamic marriage contract ceremony—on December 22, 2024, on a rooftop in Dubai, where Duwaji's family resides.
The ceremony was described as intimate, with soft lighting, traditional attire, and a minimalist, modern aesthetic that reflected the couple's personalities. Wedding packages at the venue reportedly start at around $72 per guest, with a minimum spend of $2,700—though the celebration itself was far more about sentiment than spectacle.
They later made their marriage official with a civil ceremony in New York City.
In a GQ interview published in April 2025, Mamdani offered a personal detail about their connection, revealing that Duwaji has influenced his style—encouraging him to ditch skinny jeans and gifting him two pieces he wears daily: a Casio watch and a handmade ring.