New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani is seen wearing an Arsenal-inspired thobe during an Eid al-Adha celebration in the Bronx, New York/ Image: X
Zohran Mamdani celebrated Eid al-Adha in the Bronx wearing a custom Arsenal-inspired thobe, combining his long-standing support for the English football 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 garment that stretched below the knees. The outfit featured the club crest, the “Emirates Fly Better” sponsor logo and red sleeve stripes associated with Arsenal’s 2025-26 away kit design. The robe appeared to be adapted from Arsenal’s away jersey into a traditional tunic-style thobe or kurta for the Eid celebration. Mamdani, who is New York City’s first Muslim mayor and a vocal Arsenal supporter, tied the symbolism of Eid al-Adha to his political message while posting photographs from the event on social media. “Today as we honor Prophet Ibrahim, Eid al-Adha reminds us that sacrifice is not a burden,” Mamdani wrote on X. “It is an opportunity to see ourselves as part of something larger. To extend a hand to those who need it most.” “I am honored to be New York City’s first Muslim Mayor and I am determined to lead through solidarity. Together, we are working to ensure every New Yorker can afford the groceries, housing, and child care they need.” “Our solidarity is our strength,” he added. Eid al-Adha is one of the most significant festivals in Islam and follows Eid al-Fitr, which marks the end of Ramadan. The holiday commemorates Prophet Ibrahim’s willingness to sacrifice in obedience to God and is associated with charity, community gatherings and shared meals. Mamdani’s outfit quickly attracted attention online because of its unusual blend of football culture and traditional Eid clothing, particularly given Arsenal’s recent success. The Premier League club were crowned English champions this season for the first time in 22 years and are also preparing to face Paris Saint-Germain in the UEFA Champions League final on May 30. Mamdani’s favourite teams have enjoyed a memorable sporting period in recent weeks, with Arsenal winning the Premier League title while the New York Knicks advanced to the NBA Finals for the first time since 1999. The mayor’s Arsenal support has frequently appeared throughout his public appearances and social media posts, although the custom Eid outfit marked one of his most visible football-themed statements since taking office.
