When Zohran Mamdani announced his candidacy for mayor of New York City, political observers noted his progressive platform and legislative record. But understanding the Democratic candidate's background requires examining the rich cultural tapestry woven into his very surname: Mamdani. He takes the name from his father, Mahmood Mamdani, a prominent academic who was raised in Uganda and whose work focuses on postcolonial Uganda. I studied the history of the Khoja community for my doctoral work and have helped develop Khoja studies as an academic discipline. The Mamdani surname tells a story of migration, resilience and community-building that spans centuries and continents. Its etymology is twofold. Mam is an honorific title in Kachchhi and Gujarati languages, meaning kindness, courage and pride. Mamado is a local version of the name Muhammad that often appeared in surnames in Hindu castes that converted to Islam, such as the Memons. Over time, the Khoja came to be identified only as...
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