New York Metropolis Mayor Zohran Mamdani, town’s first Asian American and Muslim mayor, has written a handwritten letter to jailed activist Umar Khalid, expressing solidarity and recalling Khalid’s reflections on resilience and bitterness.

The notice, addressed on to Khalid, was handed over to his mother and father when Mamdani met them throughout their go to to the USA in December 2025. On Thursday, the day Mamdani was sworn in as mayor, Khalid’s accomplice, Bunojyotsana Lahiri, shared {a photograph} of the letter on X, bringing renewed consideration to Khalid’s extended incarceration.

‘Do Not Let Bitterness Eat You’

Within the letter, Mamdani wrote: “Expensive Umar, I consider your phrases on bitterness typically, and the significance of not letting it eat one’s self. It was a pleasure to fulfill your mother and father. We’re all considering of you.”

Mamdani, 34, was elected mayor final 12 months, making historical past in New York Metropolis. Based on Lahiri, Khalid’s mother and father, Sahiba Khanam and Syed Qasim Rasool Ilyas, met Mamdani throughout their US journey, which was undertaken forward of the marriage of their youngest daughter. Considered one of their elder daughters lives within the US and was unable to journey to India for the ceremony.

Household Assembly Throughout US Go to

“They met Mamdani and some others within the US and spent fairly a while with him. That’s when he wrote this notice,” Lahiri instructed Hindustan Occasions.

Umar Khalid has been in jail since 2020 after being charged underneath provisions of the Illegal Actions (Prevention) Act in reference to the 2020 Delhi riots. He was granted interim bail in December to attend his sister’s wedding ceremony earlier than being taken again into custody.

Lahiri mentioned Khalid remained indoors all through his transient launch, as required by his bail situations. “He spent all his time at house. It glided by very quick, identical to the 2 earlier events when he was out on bail,” she mentioned. “He had home-cooked meals, his mom typically fed him, and he spent loads of time along with his nieces and nephews.”

Khalid has since returned to jail.

Mamdani has beforehand spoken publicly about Khalid’s writings. At an occasion in New York final 12 months, he learn excerpts from a letter Khalid had written from jail, wherein the activist mirrored on resisting bitterness and viewing his circumstances from a broader perspective.