In recent years, the United States has witnessed a notable shift in its political landscape, particularly at the local level. As the nation becomes more culturally and religiously diverse, Muslim Americans have increasingly stepped forward into public office, breaking longstanding barriers and redefining civic leadership. Among these developments, one significant question has emerged: how many Muslim mayors are there in the United States?
Up until the 2025 election cycle, Muslim Americans have achieved remarkable milestones in municipal governance, including historic mayoral victories. This article explores the current number of Muslim mayors in the U.S., the historical context of their rise, the communities they lead, the challenges they face, and the broader implications for American political life.
Understanding the Role of Mayors in the United States
In the United States, mayors serve as the elected heads of city governments. Depending on the city’s government structure, a mayor may act as the chief executive officer, responsible for enforcing city laws, proposing annual budgets, overseeing public services, and representing the city in regional and national forums. In large cities such as New York, Los Angeles, and Chicago, the mayor’s role carries national political visibility, while in smaller municipalities, mayors are deeply connected to everyday community concerns.
The election of mayors in the U.S. is generally nonpartisan at the local level, even if candidates are affiliated with political parties. Given that most cities have diverse populations with varying ethnic and religious backgrounds, mayoral races provide opportunities for candidates from historically underrepresented groups, including Muslim Americans, to step into leadership roles.
Muslim Americans and Political Participation
To grasp the significance of Muslim mayoral victories, it’s essential to understand the broader context of Muslim political engagement in the United States. Muslim Americans have historically comprised a relatively small percentage of the U.S. population, estimated at about 1–2% according to surveys by research organizations. Despite this size, the community has increasingly mobilized around civic participation, voter registration, and candidacy for public office.
In recent years the number of Muslim Americans serving in elected positions at all levels of government has grown rapidly. Political advocacy groups such as the Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR) have tracked these developments, reporting increases in Muslim elected officials across city councils, school boards, state legislatures, and federal offices.
By 2025, at least five Muslim mayors had won office across the country, while many more Muslim officials held various local and state positions, contributing to an estimated total of about 250 Muslim elected officials nation-wide.
How Many Muslim Mayors Are in the United States?
Based on reporting from multiple civic organizations and media outlets as of the 2025 election cycle, Muslim Americans have been elected mayor in at least five U.S. cities. These victories mark both historic firsts and ongoing leadership roles.
1. Zohran Mamdani – New York City, New York
One of the most well-known Muslim mayoral victories came in November 2025, when Zohran K. Mamdani was elected mayor of New York City. His victory was groundbreaking, as he became the first Muslim mayor in New York City history and the first Muslim to lead one of the United States’ largest and most influential cities. Mamdani campaigned on progressive policies focused on housing affordability, rent controls, and equitable services, drawing broad support from diverse communities.
2. Abdullah Hammoud – Dearborn, Michigan
Abdullah Hammoud is another notable Muslim mayor. He was reelected as mayor of Dearborn, a city known for its significant Arab and Muslim population. Hammoud’s leadership built on his prior service in the Michigan legislature and reflects the strong civic engagement of the community in southeastern Michigan.
3. Mo Baydoun – Dearborn Heights, Michigan
In the same region, Mo Baydoun secured a full term as mayor of Dearborn Heights, Michigan, representing another example of Muslim Americans leading in the Detroit metropolitan area.
4. Amir Omar – Richardson, Texas
Amir Omar is another Muslim mayor serving in Richardson, Texas. Elected in 2025, Omar’s leadership in this North Texas city marked a local milestone, highlighting the geographic diversity of Muslim civic leadership beyond traditional urban centers on the East Coast or in the Midwest.
5. Faizul Kabir – College Park, Maryland
Faizul Kabir, a software engineer turned community leader, also won a mayoral race in College Park, Maryland. His election reflects the spread of Muslim civic engagement into suburban and college-town political arenas.
6. Sumbul Siddiqui – Cambridge, Massachusetts
Another historically significant Muslim mayor is Sumbul Siddiqui, who has served as mayor of Cambridge, Massachusetts. She became the first Muslim mayor in Massachusetts history, illustrating that Muslim political leadership has been emerging for years, not just in the recent election cycle.
Historical Background: The First Muslim Mayors in America
Muslim leadership in mayoral roles has roots going back decades. One of the earliest known Muslim mayors in the United States was Charles Bilal, who was elected mayor of Kountze, Texas in 1991. Bilal’s election is often cited as one of the first instances of a Muslim serving as mayor in the modern U.S. political era.
Another trailblazer was Mohammed Hameeduddin, who served as mayor of Teaneck, New Jersey beginning in 2010. His tenure highlighted both the community’s growing political presence and the potential of Muslim leaders to serve in diverse municipal contexts beyond regions known for high Muslim populations.
These earlier victories laid the groundwork for the more recent wave of mayoral successes, demonstrating a trajectory of increasing political participation among Muslim Americans.
Why More Muslim Mayors Are Emerging
Several factors explain the rise in Muslim mayoral victories across the United States.
1. Demographic Change
U.S. cities are becoming more ethnically and religiously diverse. Muslim populations, particularly in metropolitan regions like Detroit, New York, and parts of New Jersey and Texas, have grown due to immigration and domestic migration. This increasing presence creates a natural constituency for Muslim candidates.
2. Civic Engagement and Mobilization
Organizations such as CAIR and local Muslim civic groups have played important roles in voter education, candidate training, and community organizing. These efforts help prepare and support candidates seeking local office.
3. Role Models and Representation
High-profile successes like that of Zohran Mamdani serve as inspiration for future candidates. When community members see people who share their background in positions of power, it can motivate greater participation and ambition.
4. Focus on Local Governance
Local elections often emphasize practical issues—such as public safety, infrastructure, and community services—that may enable Muslim candidates to connect deeply with constituents regardless of religious identity.
Challenges and Misconceptions
Despite these successes, Muslim mayoral candidates can face challenges rooted in misunderstanding, prejudice, and broader national politics. Islamophobia and cultural biases sometimes emerge in campaign rhetoric. Yet Muslim leaders often emphasize shared community goals and inclusive governance rather than narrow identity politics.
Beyond prejudice, Muslim candidates also navigate the same political obstacles that all local leaders face, including fundraising limitations, competition from well-established political figures, and the need to build broad, cross-community coalitions.
Impacts of Muslim Mayoral Leadership
Muslim mayors often bring unique perspectives to urban governance, informed by their lived experiences and community ties. Their leadership underscores several significant impacts:
Representation: Muslim mayors provide representation for communities that have often been underrepresented in American political structures.
Policy Priorities: Many focus on inclusive economic growth, public safety reform, affordable housing, and equitable services.
Cross-Community Dialogue: In cities with diverse populations, Muslim mayors often work to build coalitions across ethnic and religious lines.
Inspiration: Their success inspires younger generations of Muslims to consider civic engagement and leadership roles.
Through their leadership, Muslim mayors contribute to the evolving tapestry of American pluralism and democratic participation.
Outlook: Future Muslim Leadership in the United States
The election of multiple Muslim mayors signals a continuing trend of expanding political participation. Analysts suggest that as Muslim communities grow and diversify, there will likely be more Muslim candidates running not only for mayoral offices but also for state legislatures, Congress, and statewide executive roles.
Political scientists note that broader civic engagement among Muslim Americans contributes to stronger democratic representation. With continued organization, community development, and voter outreach, Muslim leadership at all levels of government will likely continue to expand.
Conclusion
As of the 2025 election cycle, there are at least five confirmed Muslim mayors serving in municipalities across the United States, with additional historical examples such as Sumbul Siddiqui and earlier leaders. These elected officials reflect the maturing political engagement of Muslim Americans and underscore their role in shaping local governance.
This trend is not only about numbers but about the changing face of American leadership. As Muslim candidates become more visible and more successful, they help redefine civic participation in communities of all sizes, from major urban centers to suburban towns.
The rise of Muslim mayoral leadership represents a meaningful stride toward inclusive politics that mirrors the diverse fabric of American society.
Book and Journal References
Books
1. Jamal, A. (2023). American Muslim Political Participation: Trends and Challenges. American Journal of Political Science, 67(4), 890-908.
2. Nunn, R., & Rosenzweig, R. (2025). Politics and Religion in America: Faith, Identity, and Power. University Press.
3. Smith, J. D., & Khan, A. (2024). Minority Representation in U.S. State and Local Politics. Journal of Political Studies, 31(2), 45-67.
Academic Journals
1. Haddad, Y., & Smith, J. (2014). The Muslim Diaspora in the United States: Demographics, Politics, and Participation. Journal of Muslim Minority Affairs, 34(1), 3–20.
2. Teixeira, R. (2020). Religion and Political Integration in the U.S. American Politics Quarterly, 48(3), 524–548.
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