A snap shot of Zohran Mamdani from the video.
According to Marist, with less than a day before Election Day on Tuesday, Mamdani, 34, who hails from a family of Indian and Ugandan descent, leads former New York governor Andrew Cuomo 48 to 32 percent.
If the polls hold, Mamdani, a self-proclaimed Democratic-Socialist who has withered a slew of negative and racist attacks by his opponents, would become the first Muslim mayor of NYC, the largest city in the United States.
Muslims number between 700,000 and 900,000 out of a population of 8.5 million in the New York City Metropolitan area, with 160,000 of Arab origin.
The 30-second campaign commercial, with an Egyptian pop song in the background, features Mamdani speaking fluent Arabic, in a Syrian dialect, as he walks along the streets of the Arab community on Steinway Street in the Astoria neighbourhood in Queens Borough.
"Hello, my name is Zohran Mamdani. ... And I’m running to be the next mayor of New York City."
"Now, I know what you are thinking, I might look like your brother-in-law from Damascus, but my Arabic needs some work. Right? he jokes.
"I would love to ask your support on November 4th."
He reminds the Arab voters, who have already expressed enthusiasm for his campaign for his outspoken support to the Palestinaian cause, of his broad campaign promises to make living in the city more affordable for working-class and middle-class citizens.
"Life in New York has become expensive for all," he says.
The commercial cuts to a stop in an Arab-owned supermarket where he pets a cat and jokes with him in Egyptian Arabic: "How are you, chief? Everything OK?"
"And it’s become hard to live in the city and raise children," Mamdani continues with the backdrop of a Palestinian flag and a Coca Cola sign in opposite corners of the store.
"As a mayor, I will freeze the rent for over 2 million people, I will make buses fast and free, and deliver universal childcare to all families."
"And while I probably won’t convince your uncle that the Nabulsi Knafe in Steinway is better than in New Jersey," in reference to the large number of Arabs who live in the Garden State across the Hudson River."
"I promise to fight with all my strength to make it easier to open your small business, pay your rent, and build your future in New York."
"Early voting is open now through November 2, and Election Day is November 4th ... I’m from you, and for you. We will see you there!"
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