New York Mayor Zohran Mamdani made a notable fashion statement this week by attending Eid al-Adha prayers in the Bronx wearing a custom-made kurta crafted from Arsenal's 2025-26 away kit. The garment, which combines his passion for football with his faith, has ignited a wide range of reactions on social media.
A Unique Blend of Faith and Football
Mamdani, a vocal Arsenal supporter, has previously showcased his fandom by wearing a club scarf at press conferences. His latest outfit, supplied by Jason Andrew of the Brooklyn Invincibles supporters club, was created in just five days amid a shortage of shirts following Arsenal's Premier League title win. The kurta, a traditional South Asian tunic, was tailored to Andrew's specifications with help from his mother, who guided the tailor through the details.
Images of Mamdani in the kurta have been widely shared, drawing both praise and criticism. On Instagram, one user commented, "Bro noooo how’s my Eid fit supposed to compete with this?" while another on Highsnobiety wrote, "When I thought I couldn’t hate this guy any more." A Chelsea fan on Versus remarked, "Even this Chelsea fan knows how cold this is."
Cultural and Political Significance
Dr. Fatima Rajina, a senior fellow at De Montfort University, noted that the negative reactions may stem from Mamdani's refusal to hide his faith in public office. "He’s the first Muslim mayor of the most multicultural city in the world and also one of the most significant cities in the world. He’s disrupting a lot of things, socially, culturally, politically," she said.
Arsenal's reputation as a diverse and global club aligns with Mamdani's vision of an inclusive New York. Since the title win, social media has been filled with celebrations from around the world, including a video of a man in Uganda wearing an Arsenal thobe.
Community and Future Designs
Faris and Aaliyah Gohir, founders of Arsenal Muslim Gooners, praised the image for bringing "faith, culture and football together in one image." They believe it highlights the visibility of Muslim football supporters. Aaliyah suggested that Arsenal-branded thobes and hijabs could be popular, adding that "a Muslim-inspired range would feel like a natural next step."
Andrew emphasized that Mamdani's approach to fashion is authentic. "He doesn’t do anything crazy. He’s like: ‘Hey, I’m a New Yorker. I wear Timberlands, I wear a Carhartt jacket’ … [The kurta] embraces his fandom – we’re no different to him, and he’s no different to us."
