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

A viral chant celebrating New York’s diversity and the Knicks’ NBA Finals run has taken over social media, turning a 23-year-old fan into an unlikely internet figure at the centre of the city’s basketball fever.The New York Knicks won 4-1 in the NBA Finals, winning their first championship since the 1970s. As excitement built across the city, streets in Manhattan became filled with blue and orange.Amid the basketball buzz, a short chant posted online has become a cultural talking point far beyond the sport itself.“My mayor MuslimMy bagel’s JewishMy Christian DiorKnicks in four”The lines were first shouted in a viral TikTok video by MD Ahnaf Hossain, a 23-year-old Knicks supporter, in a clip branded by prediction market company Kalshi. The video went so viral that slogan even appeared on merchandise such as T-shirts and caps.The New York Times described the chant as “pure New York City poetry.”Hossain later appeared in a follow-up video, updating the chant to reflect the ongoing series:“My mayor still MuslimMy bagel’s still JewishThe pope’s on our sideKnicks in five”The clip was filmed in New York and even included a playful reference to the Pope, as the Knicks continued their championship push.Speaking about the origins of the chant, Hossain said his intention was to bring people together. “I grew up with Jews, Muslims, Haitians, Pakistanis, Bengalis,” he told the Washington Post.He added: “I just had to bring everyone together.”Hossain himself reacted calmly to his sudden online attention: “I think the sportsmanship is bringing a type of love we haven’t seen in the city for a long, long time,” he told the New York Times. In interviews, Hossain said: “I grew up with Jews, Muslims, Haitians, Pakistanis, Bengalis.”The Washington Post identified him as someone who moved from Bangladesh to Jamaica, Queens, as a baby.

The breakdown:

“My mayor still Muslim”This refers to Zohran Mamdani, New York City’s mayor. The line highlights that the city’s mayor is Muslim and celebrates New York’s multicultural identity. The word “still” was added in the updated version of the chant.“My bagel’s still Jewish”Bagels are closely associated with New York’s Jewish community, which played a major role in popularising them in the city. The line is a playful nod to New York’s Jewish heritage and food culture.“The pope’s on our side”This is a tongue-in-cheek reference to a Knicks fan who had gone viral online for celebrating in Vatican City during the NBA Finals. It jokingly suggests that even the Pope is backing the Knicks.“Knicks in five”This is a sports prediction. Fans often say “Team in X” to predict how many games it will take their team to win a playoff series. After the Knicks lost a game, “Knicks in four” was no longer possible, so Hossain updated the chant to predict a championship victory in five games instead.“My Christian Dior”This line is a reference to Christian Dior, the famous French luxury fashion brand commonly known as Dior.The viral moment has been linked to both sports excitement and New York’s wider cultural identity. The chant blends humour, religion, fashion references and basketball prediction culture. It also revolves around much of American pop culture.