Truth behind claims Zohran Mamdani is introducing ‘Arabic numerals’ in NY schools
A viral rumor about New York’s new mayor, Zohran Mamdani, caused confusion by falsely claiming he planned to introduce Arabic numerals in city schools. This misinformation emerged shortly after his electoral victory, which was largely focused on addressing affordability for residents.
The falsehood gained traction partly due to targeted attacks on Mamdani’s identity as the city’s first South Asian and first Muslim mayor. Interestingly, the claim originated as an inside joke among his own supporters before being misinterpreted and spread seriously by others.
The reality is that Arabic numerals are already the standard numerical system used in American education and daily life. These are the familiar digits from 0 to 9 that are foundational to mathematics instruction.
This numbering system was historically transmitted to Europe by Arab mathematicians centuries ago. While the modern Arabic script uses different symbols, the fundamental numerical structure remains identical.
Therefore, Mayor Mamdani has no intention of changing the curriculum in this regard. The viral posts deliberately transformed a lighthearted joke into a misleading alarm.
This incident clearly demonstrates how quickly misinformation can propagate, particularly when it leverages aspects of a public figure’s personal identity or background.
Ultimately, this episode serves as an important reminder to critically evaluate sensational claims before accepting them, especially when they seek to exploit social divisions.
