Mamdani makes rangoli, Abdul El-Sayed lights diya as Diwali is celebrated across the US

Diwali was celebrated around the world in an atmosphere of lights and joy. The enthusiasm was visible not only in India but also in the United States, where the Indian community organised events on a large scale. Two young Muslim leaders drew the most attention this time: New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani and Abdul El-Sayed, the newly elected Senator from Michigan. Both lit lamps with members of the Indian community, made rangoli and joined in the festivities.

Mamdani shared a video of his Diwali celebration on his social media account. In it, he is seen decorating the courtyard and steps of a house with marigold flowers and lamps. The highlight of the video is that he sat on the ground and made a colourful rangoli himself. In another picture, he is seen lighting a lamp in a yellow kurta.

Mamdani is a leader of the Democratic Socialists. He made history by taking office as mayor. He is New York's first Muslim mayor, the youngest mayor in the past 100 years and also the first mayor of South Asian origin. He has a deep connection with India, as his mother is the well-known Indian-American film director Mira Nair. For this reason, he has always had an attachment to Indian festivals and culture.

Meanwhile, El-Sayed, who became the country's first Muslim senator with a historic win in the recent US midterm elections, also shared Diwali pictures. In them, he is seen lighting a traditional clay lamp, smiling and clapping with members of the Indian community. In his message, he wrote: Happy Diwali to everyone celebrating this festival of lights.

The world was watching El-Sayed's election. He won Michigan by a large margin while facing sharp personal and political attacks from political opponents. His parents are originally from Egypt, but his wife, Sarah Jhukkaku, is of Indian origin. Her family's roots are in the Bhatkal area of Karnataka. Her grandfather was a well-known lawyer of his time and a former minister in the state government. Because of this family tie, El-Sayed took part wholeheartedly in this important Indian festival.

A special Diwali event for the Indian community was also held at the White House in the presence of President Donald Trump. Guests included India's Ambassador to the US Vinay Mohan Kwatra, world-renowned chef Vikas Khanna and former Canadian MP Ruby Dhalla.

The tradition of celebrating Diwali at the White House goes back two decades. It began in 2003 during the tenure of the then President George W. Bush. In 2009, Barack Obama became the first US President to light a traditional lamp with his own hands in the White House's official premises. This year too, Diwali was celebrated with enthusiasm at the highest administrative level in the US.