STATEN ISLAND, N.Y. -- The moment it was announced that Zohran Mamdani was elected as the first Muslim mayor of New York City, Abdullah Akl says it was the first time he could identify with a leader who looked like himself.

“What I’ve been seeing on the news is, for the first time, someone who looks like myself, someone who believes in some of the things that I believe in, someone that may have a very similar story to mine that a lot of Muslims like myself have,” said the Dongan Hills resident and borough Muslim leader.

The self-described Democratic Socialist has led an energetic, grassroots campaign focused on affordability that has resonated with voters, particularly those younger and more progressive.

And this gives Akl, whose parents immigrated from Egypt, hope that there will be

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