Rama Duwaji, a Syrian-American illustrator who is 27 years old and whose politics are known for being bold, is married to 33-year-old New York State Assemblyman Zohran Mamdani. Mamdani was making news after he took out the former governor Andrew Cuomo to win the Democratic nomination for New York City mayor, something that shocked many.
On voting day, Duwaji indicated her pride in a moving four-word Instagram message, “couldn’t possibly be prouder.” She eventually took the stage with Mamdani for his victory speech, where he stopped to thank her by name, saying, “I must thank my incredible wife. Rama, thank you,” before tenderly kissing her hand.
If Mamdani wins against Mayor Eric Adams and Republican candidate Curtis Sliwa in the next November election, he would be the city’s first Muslim mayor and Duwaji, its First Lady.
Art Rooted in Resistance
Duwaji, based in Brooklyn and active in Brooklyn, is known for producing incisive multimedia content that tends to revolve around issues of identity, injustice, and rebellion and more often than not, from a pro-Palestinian standpoint. She has worked with leading international institutions such as The New Yorker, BBC, Apple, Spotify, VICE, The Washington Post, and the London-based Tate Modern, according to the Associated Press.
She recently discussed the interplay of activism and creativity in an interview. “I’ll always say what Nina Simone said: ‘An artist’s duty as far as I’m concerned is to reflect the times,'” she declared.
“I think everybody has a responsibility to use their voice against injustice… I don’t think everyone has to create political work, but art is always political in the way that it’s created, funded, and disseminated.”
She went on, “Even making art as a sanctuary from what we see is political to me. It’s a response to what’s going on in the world around us.”
On election night, Duwaji’s mother-in-law, director Mira Nair, left a moving message regarding the value of art, taking into consideration Duwaji’s position not only as a family member but as an artist and voice of defiance.
Hinged for Life
The relationship of the couple started in a modern way. “I met my wife on Hinge so there is still hope in those dating apps,” Mamdani quipped while appearing as a guest on The Bulwark podcast.
About six weeks back, Mamdani posted a series of photos from their civil wedding on social media. One of the standout black-and-white pictures showed the couple on a Union Square subway train, Duwaji wearing a white dress and boots, bouquet in hand, amid oblivious commuters.
Before their New York City civil ceremony, the couple had celebrated their engagement in Dubai, where Duwaji’s family lives. The intimate event, according to a campaign statement cited by The New York Post, was filled with love and joy.
Battling Online Hate
Despite their strong bond and shared values, the couple has endured harsh online abuse — much of it politically motivated. Mamdani addressed this in a candid post, “If you look at Twitter today, or any given day for that matter, you know how ugly politics can get,” he wrote.
“I brush it off usually, whether it’s death threats or calls for deportation. But it’s different when it’s about those you love.”
He added, “Three months ago, I married my best friend, Rama, at the City Clerk’s office. Now, right-wing trolls are attempting to turn this race — and one that should be about you — into one about her.”
Protecting her identity and work, he went on, “Rama isn’t merely my wife. She’s a remarkable artist who must be known on her own terms. You can disagree with my opinions, but not my family.”
