New York Mayor Zohran Mamdani Wears Custom Arsenal Kurta to Eid Prayers
Zohran Mamdani, the mayor of New York, attracted widespread attention by wearing a kurta made from Arsenal Football Club’s 2025-26 away kit to attend Eid al-Adha prayers in the Bronx. This unique outfit combined his support for Arsenal, the Premier League champions, with his cultural and religious identity, sparking a variety of reactions online.
Why this matters
Mamdani’s choice to wear a football-themed kurta at a religious event highlights the intersection of faith, culture, and sports fandom in a diverse city like New York. As the city’s first Muslim mayor, his public expression of faith and support for a globally recognized football club reflects broader social and cultural shifts. This moment also underscores Arsenal’s growing visibility and influence following their recent Premier League title win.
Key developments
- Arsenal won the Premier League for the first time in 22 years, increasing the visibility of the club’s shirts worldwide.
- Zohran Mamdani, a vocal Arsenal fan, wore a bespoke kurta made from the club’s 2025-26 away kit to Eid prayers.
- The kurta was created by Jason Andrew, co-founder of the Brooklyn Invincibles Arsenal supporters club, who had only five days to complete the garment.
- The outfit received mixed reactions on social media, with some praising the blend of football fandom and faith, while others expressed criticism.
- Experts and community leaders see Mamdani’s kurta as a powerful symbol of inclusivity and visibility for Muslim football supporters.
Background
The kurta is a traditional long shirt or tunic originating from South Asia. Mamdani’s version was custom-made using Arsenal’s away kit fabric, a process that involved sourcing limited shirts after the club’s title win and collaborating with a tailor connected to a family of seamstresses.
Mamdani has openly displayed his Arsenal fandom before, including wearing a club scarf at a press conference and receiving congratulations from former Arsenal player Ian Wright upon becoming mayor.
Social impact
Dr. Fatima Rajina, a senior fellow at De Montfort University, noted that some criticism of Mamdani’s kurta relates to his openness about his Muslim faith in public office. His visibility challenges traditional norms and promotes cultural and religious diversity in leadership.
Faris and Aaliyah Gohir, founders of Arsenal Muslim Gooners, described the image of Mamdani in the kurta as a significant moment that unites faith, culture, and football. They emphasized that Muslim football supporters often feel invisible, and Mamdani’s public display has brought recognition to their community.
The Arsenal fanbase is known for its diversity, and the club has a history of engaging with this through its kit designs. For example, the 2024-25 away shirt was designed by British-Sierra Leonean designer Foday Dumbuya, and a 2022-23 prematch jersey featured Jamaican colors popular at cultural events like the Notting Hill Carnival.
Aaliyah Gohir suggested that Mamdani’s kurta could inspire future Muslim-inspired Arsenal apparel, such as branded thobes, hijabs, and abayas designed by female fans using AI technology.
What to watch
- Whether Arsenal or other clubs will develop official Muslim-inspired apparel lines following the positive response to Mamdani’s kurta.
- How public figures like Mamdani continue to blend cultural and religious identity with popular sports fandom.
- The evolving role of fashion in expressing diversity and inclusion within global sports communities.
Recommended reading
For more context, see related Peack News coverage and explainers linked below.
