Viral Rumor Claims NYC Mayor-Elect to Force “Arabic Numerals” in Schools
So, there’s been this wild story circulating online about New York’s mayor-elect, Zohran Mamdani, and it’s time we set the record straight. Recently, posts on X—formerly known as Twitter—started claiming that Mamdani is planning to make all elementary school students in New York learn “Arabic numerals.” If you read that and thought, “Wait, what?”—you’re not alone. The post went viral, racking up millions of views and sparking outrage among some users who thought this was a radical new policy.
Here’s the thing: Arabic numerals are literally the numbers we use every day—0, 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9. They’re called “Arabic numerals” because they were transmitted to Europe through medieval Arabic scholars, but in reality, they’ve been used in American classrooms for centuries. So, the claim that Mamdani is introducing them is completely baseless. There is no legislation, no proposal, and no announcement from Mamdani about numerals at all. It seems this rumor started either as a misunderstanding or as a deliberate attempt to provoke controversy—and it definitely succeeded in getting people talking.
Also Read:The story gained extra fuel because Mamdani recently released a campaign ad entirely in Arabic, which some people misinterpreted as part of a broader agenda. Posts like one from Polymarket read: “BREAKING: Zohran Mamdani to require all New York elementary school students to learn Arabic numerals,” and it was shared by accounts with millions of followers. People online reacted with a mix of confusion, anger, and, for some, amusement once the context was clarified.
To be clear, Mamdani’s actual policies are focused on practical changes to city life. He’s promised fare-free buses, universal childcare for children from six weeks to five years old, and a rent freeze on rent-stabilized units. His election was historic—he’s New York City’s first Muslim mayor, and he won decisively against both Republican Curtis Sliwa and independent Andrew Cuomo, who was backed by Donald Trump.
So, to sum it up: the claim about Arabic numerals in schools is entirely false. What’s being shared online is more satire than policy, highlighting how quickly misinformation can spread when a headline sounds shocking. In reality, kids in New York are already learning the very numbers that were supposedly going to be “introduced.” The viral post might have fooled some, but it’s really just a reminder that sometimes the outrage on social media is based on a misunderstanding—or a clever bait.
In short, Mamdani is not changing how math is taught—he’s focused on making life in the city more accessible and equitable. And yes, the numbers on your phone and in your classroom are already Arabic numerals. Nothing new there.
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