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‘My mayor Muslim, my bagel’s Jewish’: How a Bangladeshi Knicks fan created a viral sensation
🇮🇳 India /Culture & Society

‘My mayor Muslim, my bagel’s Jewish’: How a Bangladeshi Knicks fan created a viral sensation

From Times of India · () English

Summarized and contextualized by DistantNews.

At a glance

News Sources not specified Outcome reported
  • A 23-year-old fan created a viral chant celebrating New York's diversity and the Knicks' NBA Finals run.
  • The chant,

A viral chant celebrating New York's diversity and the Knicks' NBA Finals run has turned a 23-year-old fan into an internet sensation. The New York Knicks recently won their first NBA championship since the 1970s, sparking excitement across the city. Amidst the basketball fervor, a short chant posted online became a cultural talking point.

My mayor Muslim My bagel’s Jewish My Christian Dior Knicks in four

— MD Ahnaf HossainThe original viral chant created by Hossain.

"My mayor Muslim My bagel’s Jewish My Christian Dior Knicks in four" The chant was first shouted in a viral TikTok video by MD Ahnaf Hossain, a Knicks supporter. The video gained so much traction that the slogan appeared on merchandise like T-shirts and caps. The New York Times described the chant as "pure New York City poetry." Hossain later updated the chant to reflect the ongoing series: "My mayor still Muslim My bagel’s still Jewish The pope’s on our side Knicks in five."

My mayor still Muslim My bagel’s still Jewish The pope’s on our side Knicks in five

— MD Ahnaf HossainThe updated chant reflecting the ongoing NBA Finals series.

Hossain explained that his intention was to bring people together, drawing from his upbringing with diverse communities. "I grew up with Jews, Muslims, Haitians, Pakistanis, Bengalis," he told the Washington Post. "I just had to bring everyone together."

I grew up with Jews, Muslims, Haitians, Pakistanis, Bengalis. I just had to bring everyone together.

— MD Ahnaf HossainHossain explaining his intention behind creating the chant.

He reacted calmly to his sudden online fame, telling the New York Times, "I think the sportsmanship is bringing a type of love we haven’t seen in the city for a long, long time." The Washington Post identified Hossain as someone who moved from Bangladesh to Jamaica, Queens, as a baby. The chant's lines highlight New York's multicultural identity, referencing the city's Muslim mayor, its Jewish heritage associated with bagels, and even a playful nod to the Pope supporting the Knicks, alongside a luxury fashion brand.

I think the sportsmanship is bringing a type of love we haven’t seen in the city for a long, long time.

— MD Ahnaf HossainHossain reacting to his sudden online attention.
DistantNews Editorial

Originally published by Times of India. Summarized and contextualized by our editorial team with added local perspective. Read our editorial standards.

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