Zohran Mamdani, whose dynamic grassroots activism pushed him to national spotlight as Democratic party’s candidate for New York City mayor, was inspired by Pakistani poet Faiz Ahmed Faiz’s popular poem “Speak” as he stepped forward to serve people in the face of challenges.
Mamdani, who rattled the followers of traditional way of politicking with his stunning victory over a Democratic establishment candidate, shared his experience, according to a recently posted video.
While speaking at an event hosted by an organization, American Pakistani Advocacy Group, during campaign, Mamdani said, “There has been a Pakistani poet Faiz Ahmed Faiz, who I have ready every morning, to start my day, to remind myself what is my responsibility in this moment,” he said.
Speaking fluently in Urdu, the language widely spoken in Pakistan and India and understood in other South Asian countries, Mamdani also recited opening lines of the poem.
Faiz Ahmed Faiz is an acclaimed 20th century Pakistani poet, who alongside his predecessor Muhammad Iqbal from the same city of Sialkot, is considered one of the greatest Urdu poets. Their poetry is regarded among the finest literary works centered on human uplift and dynamism.
Faiz’s poems inspire struggle for democratic rights and egalitarian society where everyone enjoys equal rights and are often quoted during rights movements.
The poem Speak, written with Urdu title “Bol,” motivates people to self-express themselves and speak for their rights toward realizing a meaningful life.
Here is how opening verses of the poem are usually translated into English:
“Speak, for your lips are still free
Speak, for your tongue is still your own.
Your body is yours alone
Speak, your life is still your own.”
In his remarks, Mamdani also encouraged Pakistanis to come forward and share their story of struggle and success.
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“It’s (been) for far too long that story of Pakistan has been told by others, and it’s a story that has not embraced the full humanity of Pakistani people, and it’s time that Pakistanis started telling their own stories.”
Recently shared clips showed that Mamdani noted how often when people “come to the places of power we fit ourselves into the room that is given to us.”
Mamdani was born to Indian parents in Uganda and moved to the United States when he was Seven. He became a naturalized citizen in 2018.
His father Mahmood Mamdani is a post-colonial studies professor. He specializes in African and international politics.
Mamdani’s mother, Mira Nair is an internationally known director. She has directed a series of successful films including Salaam Bombay, which was nominated for Academy Awards in the Best Foreign Language Flim category in 1989.
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Mamdani, a self-described Democratic Socialist, has been encouraging New York’s diaspora communities to participate in the American democratic and political processes.
Speaking in that vein, Mamdani says it is “critical that we bring our full bodies our full minds our full concern into every room and leave nothing of ourselves behind.”
“Because there is no amount that you can compress yourself that will be sufficient. Because it will be asked of you to get smaller and smaller and by the end of it when you go back to your homes and look into the mirror you will not be able to recognize yourself.”
The New York Assemblyman asked Pakistanis to be part of what happens on the floor of New York’s elected chambers, Assembly and Senate.
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Iftikhar Ali is a veteran Pakistani journalist, former president of UN Correspondents Association, and a recipient of the Pride of Performance civil award
Huma Nisar is Associate Editor at Views News Now. She also writes opinion articles on health, society and diet.
