Fact Check: Will Zohran Mamdani require elementary school children to learn Arabic numerals?

NEW YORK CITY, NEW YORK: In early November, Zohran Mamdani won the 2025 New York City mayoral race, defeating former Governor Andrew Cuomo in a historic and closely watched contest.

His represents a major leftward shift in New York City politics, powered by a campaign that emphasized affordable housing, public transit reform, and climate justice.

Recently, a rumor circulated online claiming that Zohran Mamdani will require all New York elementary school students to learn Arabic numerals. But is there any truth to this? Let us find out below.

Claim: Zohran Mamdani to require NY elementary school children to learn Arabic numerals

In mid-November, a rumor went viral claiming that New York City mayor-elect Zohran Mamdani will require elementary school children to learn Arabic numerals. The claims were reshared by unverified profiles on social media.

Polymarket, which boasts itself to be the world's biggest prediction market, wrote on X, "BREAKING: Zohran Mamdani to require all New York elementary school students to learn Arabic numerals."

Moreover, Derrick Evans, who was part of the January 6 attack on the Capitol, shared the news and wrote, "BREAKING: Zohran Mamdani is expected to require ALL New York Elementary school students to learn Arabic numerals."

Similarly, another X page shared the claim, stating, "Unconfirmed reports suggest that Zohran Mamdani may be preparing a proposal that would require all New York elementary school students to learn Arabic numerals."

False: No official statement by Mamdani regarding Arabic numerals

The claims made in the online rumor are false, as Zohran Mamdani has not made any announcement regarding his education policies.

Many of his proposals have been widely discussed, including government-run grocery stores, a rent freeze, creating New York City’s first universal childcare program, and making city buses free. 

Moreover, the viral claims hold no basis because the Arabic numerals are what is already taught in schools, ie, numbers from 0-9.

Furthermore, no reputable media houses covered any such news on this topic.

Tom Homan warns NYC will see ‘increase in ICE enforcement’ before Mamdani takes office

President Donald Trump’s border czar, Tom Homan, warned on Tuesday, November 18, that New Yorkers will see an increase in federal immigration enforcement before Mayor-elect Zohran Mamdani takes office.

During a Fox News interview, Mamdani said he plans to hold Mayor Eric Adams’ administration accountable for its commitment to reopen ICE’s office on Rikers Island.

"Me and Mayor Adams at one point had an agreement to let ICE into Rikers Island so we could arrest the public safety threats and the safety and security of that facility, but the City Council shut it down," Homan said during Fox News 'American Newsroom'.

Moreover, Trump’s border czar also said he plans to return to the Big Apple soon, adding that there will be more immigration agents on city streets as part of a federal crackdown. 

"I plan on being in New York City in the near future. We’re gonna do operations in New York City, we’re already there now, the teams are there now," Homan mentioned, adding, "But we will increase the enforcement presence in New York City. Again, because they’re a sanctuary city and there are public safety threats hitting the streets every day."

Homan’s warning comes just weeks before Mamdani is set to be sworn in as mayor, replacing Eric Adams, who had previously been an ally of Homan and the Trump administration.