The American Pakistani Public Affairs Committee (APPAC) has announced that it will host New York City’s mayor-elect, Zohran Mamdani, at a high-profile fundraising event on December 4, 2025, in Old Westbury, New York.
APPAC Chairman Dr. Ijaz Ahmad told Geo News that Mamdani is currently forming his transition team and needs financial backing to begin building his administration. He added that the Pakistani-American community is stepping up at a crucial moment.
According to sources, Mamdani reached out to some of his trusted supporters—including Dr. Ijaz Ahmad—just hours before his Oval Office meeting with President Donald Trump. While Dr. Ijaz did not confirm the call, he expressed pride in leading this major fundraising effort.
The event was initially planned for December 13 but was rescheduled to December 4 due to scheduling conflicts. This fundraiser is anticipated to be one of the largest Pakistani-American events held in support of Zohran Mamdani, following his historic victory over former New York governor Andrew Cuomo and Republican candidate Curtis Sliwa.
Goal: $500,000 From 150 Attendees
Under city regulations, individuals can donate a maximum of $3,700. With around 150 expected attendees, the event is projected to raise half a million dollars to support the mayor-elect’s transition efforts.
Public excitement around Mamdani—Ugandan-born, and the first South Asian and first Muslim mayor in New York’s history—has surged, with tickets selling out within hours.
Record-Breaking Grassroots Support
Within just 10 days of launching his transition fund, Mamdani raised over $1 million from 12,707 donors, averaging only $77.65 per contribution. This stands in stark contrast to previous mayors:
- Eric Adams: 884 donors, average $1,000
- Bill de Blasio: 820 donors, average $2,392
Mamdani credited everyday New Yorkers who contributed small amounts, saying their support reflects a shared vision for a more affordable and livable city.
Top Appointments Already Underway
Since being elected on November 6, 2025, Mamdani has already started making key appointments:
- Dean Fuleihan – First Deputy Mayor
- Elle Bisgaard-Church – Chief of Staff
His transition team is led by Co-Chairs Lina Khan, Grace Bonilla, Maria Torres-Springer, and Melanie Hartzog.
Lina Khan—an American Pakistani and former FTC Chair under President Joe Biden—is widely respected for her work on antitrust policies and currently serves as an Associate Professor of Law at Columbia University.
Massive Interest in Joining Mamdani’s Administration
The response from the public has been overwhelming. Within one week of launching his transition resume portal, 50,000 people applied for roles in his administration.
Mamdani said the turnout reflects the hope behind his movement—one built by and for working New Yorkers. He emphasized that he will be “ready on day one” with a strong, capable team.
A Historic Election Victory
Zohran Mamdani, now 34, won the mayoral race through a powerful combination of digital outreach and traditional grassroots campaigning. Despite endorsements for Cuomo from President Trump and Elon Musk, Mamdani’s strategy prevailed:
- 104,786 volunteers
- 3.1 million doors knocked
- 4.5 million phone calls
- 2.7 million text messages
He officially takes office at midnight on January 1, 2026, and is expected to take his oath on a copy of the Holy Quran.
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