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False Rumors Spread About NYC Mayor-Elect Mamdani’s “Arabic Numerals” Policy
A misleading claim circulating on social media in mid-November 2025 falsely asserted that New York City Mayor-elect Zohran Mamdani planned to require elementary school students to learn Arabic numerals.
The rumor gained traction after the prediction market account Polymarket posted on X: “BREAKING: Zohran Mamdani to require all New York elementary school students to learn Arabic numerals.” This statement, while presented as breaking news, is entirely unfounded.
No such announcement has been made by Mamdani or his transition team. More importantly, the claim reveals a fundamental misunderstanding—or deliberate misrepresentation—of what Arabic numerals actually are. The term refers to the standard number system (0, 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9) already used universally throughout educational institutions in New York City and across the United States.
Despite the obvious satirical nature of the claim, some social media users appeared to take it seriously. Conservative activist Laura Loomer responded to the post writing, “You know things are bad when you can’t tell if this is real or a joke.” Screenshots circulated showing what was claimed to be an earlier, unedited version of her post that suggested she initially believed the rumor before editing her response.
The incident highlights the rapid spread of misinformation in today’s digital landscape, particularly when it plays into existing prejudices or fears. A review of Mamdani’s policy platform reveals no mention of Arabic numerals or any related educational changes.
Dr. Samira Rahman, professor of education policy at Columbia University, notes this type of misinformation is particularly concerning. “When basic mathematical concepts become politicized based on their names alone, we see how easily educational discourse can be derailed,” she explained when contacted about the rumor. “Most Americans don’t realize they’ve been using Arabic numerals their entire lives.”
Arabic numerals, despite their name, originated in India around the 3rd century BCE before being transmitted to the Arab world during the 8th century. The mathematician al-Khwārizmī played a crucial role in popularizing the numeral system throughout the Islamic world, which eventually influenced European mathematics and became the global standard.
This false claim emerges within a broader pattern of misinformation targeting Mamdani, who will become New York City’s first Muslim mayor when he takes office in January 2026. Fact-checking organizations have already debunked numerous false claims perceived as Islamophobic, including assertions that Mamdani’s proposed city-run grocery stores would prohibit alcohol, cigarettes, and lottery tickets due to Islamic law, and that his campaign received an endorsement from the Islamic State.
Media literacy experts warn that such targeted misinformation campaigns often intensify during political transitions, particularly when they involve historic firsts like Mamdani’s election.
“The ‘Arabic numerals’ claim is designed to create confusion by exploiting knowledge gaps,” says Marcus Jefferson, director of the Digital Media Literacy Institute. “It sounds alarming to those unfamiliar with the term but is actually describing something completely ordinary and fundamental to our daily lives.”
Mamdani’s transition team has been contacted for comment on this latest false claim, but has not yet responded. The Polymarket account that originated the post has also not clarified whether the statement was intended as satire.
Education officials in New York City have emphasized that no changes to the mathematics curriculum are planned based on the incoming administration’s priorities as outlined to date.
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7 Comments
This is a perfect example of how social media can be used to amplify and spread misinformation, even when the claims are obviously false. We need to be more vigilant about fact-checking and holding social media platforms accountable for the content they allow to circulate.
This is an important reminder that we should always be wary of claims that seem too outrageous to be true. A little bit of critical thinking and research can go a long way in separating fact from fiction, especially when it comes to politically charged topics.
This is a classic case of misinformation spreading like wildfire on social media. The claim about NYC schools requiring ‘Arabic numerals’ is completely false and reveals a fundamental misunderstanding of what those numerals actually are. I’m glad the authorities stepped in to debunk this nonsense quickly.
The use of ‘Arabic numerals’ is a standard practice in schools across the US, and has been for centuries. This claim is simply ridiculous and reveals a worrying level of ignorance about basic mathematical concepts. I’m glad the authorities were quick to set the record straight.
The reaction from Laura Loomer highlights the larger problem of how easily false information can be taken seriously, even when it’s clearly satirical. We need to be more vigilant about verifying claims, especially when they seem designed to provoke outrage or division.
Absolutely. Fact-checking and media literacy are crucial skills in this age of rampant misinformation. It’s concerning how quickly these kinds of false narratives can spread, even among supposedly informed commentators.
It’s disheartening to see how easily manipulated people can be by these kinds of false stories. We need to do a better job of educating the public on identifying and combating misinformation, before it has a chance to take hold and spread further.