New York City Mayor Zahran Mamdani wears an Arsenal-inspired dress during an Eid al-Adha celebration in the Bronx, New York/Photo:
Zahran Mamdani celebrated Eid al-Adha in the Bronx wearing a custom Arsenal-inspired dress, combining his long-standing support of the English soccer club with traditional Eid attire during a public appearance alongside fellow Democrat Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez.Mamdani wore a modified version of Arsenal’s blue away shirt extended into a kurta-style gown that extended below the knees. The kit featured the club crest, the “Emirates Fly Better” sponsor logo and red sleeve stripes associated with the design of Arsenal’s 2025-2026 season kit. The robe appears to be adapted from the Arsenal away shirt into a traditional tunic or kurta style garment to celebrate the holiday. Mamdani, the first Muslim mayor of New York City and a staunch Arsenal supporter, linked the symbolism of Eid al-Adha to his political message while posting photos from the event on social media. “Today as we honor Prophet Abraham, Eid al-Adha reminds us that sacrifice is not a burden,” Mamdani wrote on X. “It’s an opportunity to see ourselves as part of something bigger. And to extend a helping hand to those who need it most.” “I am honored to be the first Muslim Mayor of New York City and I am determined to lead through solidarity. We work together to ensure every New Yorker can afford the groceries, housing, and child care they need.”
He added: “Our solidarity is our strength.”
Eid al-Adha is one of the most important holidays in Islam and comes after Eid al-Fitr, which marks the end of the month of Ramadan. The holiday celebrates the Prophet Abraham’s willingness to sacrifice in obedience to God and is associated with charitable works, community gatherings, and shared meals. Mamdani’s outfit quickly attracted attention online for its unusual mix of football culture and traditional Eid clothing, especially in light of Arsenal’s recent success. The English Premier League club was crowned champion of the English Premier League this season for the first time in 22 years, and is also preparing to face Paris Saint-Germain in the Champions League final on May 30. Mamdani’s favorite teams have enjoyed a memorable sporting stretch in recent weeks, with Arsenal winning the Premier League title and the New York Knicks advancing to the NBA Finals for the first time since 1999. The Arsenal mayor’s support has been repeatedly shown during his public appearances and social media posts, although the personalized holiday kit marked one of his most visible statements about football since taking office.
