Meet Rama Duwaji – The Syrian-American Artist Who Met Zohran Mamdani On Dating App And Could Soon Be NYC’s First Lady | World News
New Delhi: He stood quietly with him. In the glow of victory, Rama Duwaji looked at the audience on a scene full of cheer. Calm. Composed. A little far away. For months, he stayed away from the spotlight. He stepped into this on June 24th. Her husband Zohran Mamdani won the democratic primary for the Mayor of New York. However, the following questions were not only about politics. They returned to him – Rama Duwaji. Now he is a deeply confused name in identity, art and discussion.
Mamdani made a statement in May. Critics came after him to accuse him of keeping his wife away from the campaign. The reason for this was the Syrian roots, solidarity and political art with Palestine. Mamdani pushed back. He called him an extraordinary artist. He deserves to be known for his work, not with his relationship.
Duwaji had a visible distance until the night of the celebration. No campaign publications. There is no media view. His social media remained personal – he understands art, sketches, portraits and studio.
Silence fueled the fire. Some claimed it was deliberate. A tactic to avoid reaction. The fact that it supports Palestine. Israel criticized his military operations for his work in Gaza. Lines, shapes and colors.
But Duwaji’s world does not start or end with his marriage.
27 years old. Now he lives in Brooklyn. He was born in Texas. He was born in cultures. His family from Damascus in Syria now lives in Dubai. He studied in Virginia. He completed his master’s degree in New York. He doesn’t talk much about his family. He prefers to leave that part of his life quietly. Once he said he had returned to Dubai first. He studied in Virginia. He completed his master’s degree in New York. He doesn’t talk much about his family. He prefers to keep that part of his life quiet.
He once said he returned to Dubai during his pandemi. I spent months with the family. Reconciled. Reflected. He shaped his art, the sense of self and the understanding of home.
He’s talking about the drawings. About Gaza. About immigration. About racial injustice. About the opposition silenced campuses. Palestinian students attracted pieces that supported. In particular, a illustration for Mahmud Khalil was detained this year for alleged ties with Hamas.
It is not withdrawn in the interviews. In April, it was opened by talking to a youth -oriented platform. His words were raw. “Things are not good in New York. I’m worried about my friends. My family. And sometimes it all sounds out of my control.”
He said he reflected the art. What does he feel? From America to Palestine. From Syria to the sides of Sketchpad.
But it wasn’t always like that.
Duwaji fought the Syrian identity. He tried to hide it for years. He told people he was an American. It was easier and more safe. Small Arabic spoke in the Gulf. He admitted that his mentality was shaped by the west. When it returned to the United States, something changed.
“I wasn’t completely American. I didn’t feel connected to the people around me. So I was confused and I was sure. Finally, I embraced my Middle East self.
He met Mamdani in the application. Hinge. They shot. He once made a joke, “These applications still have hope.”
In 2024, they were engaged to Dubai. A traditional wedding watched. Their weddings in New York were small. Close friends. Family. Sincere and quiet. As they want.
Mamdani’s team described the ceremony as special, cheerful and loving.
He thanked three people when he won the primary – his mother, filmmaker Mira Nair, father, scholar Mahmood Mamdani and Rama.
He grabbed his hand. He kissed. And softly, “Thank you Rama.” He said.
He smiled. Be proud. Still far. Still itself.
