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While the spotlight may be on Zohran Mamdani, the New York City Democratic mayoral nominee, as he is pinned as the front-runner of the race, there’s another name quietly making waves in her own powerful way: Rama Duwaji.
You may have first heard her name as Zohran’s wife, but to those who’ve followed her journey, Rama has always been a creative force in her own right. A Syrian-American artist, illustrator, and ceramicist, her work speaks volumes—without ever needing to raise its voice.
Born in Houston to Syrian parents, raised between the Gulf and the US, and now calling Brooklyn home, Rama’s perspective is shaped by rich cultural values. She studied design at Virginia Commonwealth University before completing her master’s in illustration at New York’s School of Visual Arts. Her art is personal, poignant, and politically charged—an exploration of heritage, identity, and quiet resistance.
There’s a depth to her work that lingers with you. It’s been featured everywhere from The New Yorker and The Washington Post to the BBC and even the Tate Modern – proof that her visual storytelling resonates across borders and generations.
As for how she and Zohran met? It was a Hinge success story (yes, dating apps can lead to soulmates). The pair got engaged right here in Dubai, where Rama’s family is based, surrounded by loved ones in a celebration steeped in tradition. Their wedding, however, was a beautifully understated civil ceremony in New York City in early 2025.
Despite being married to one of New York’s most talked-about political figures, Rama has chosen to stay largely behind the scenes. But don’t mistake her quietude for passivity – Rama’s presence is powerful, her work pulsing with emotion, purpose, and insight. She belongs to a new generation of artists who move between activism and artistry with grace.
She doesn’t seek the spotlight, but in a world that often equates visibility with value, Rama’s gentle conviction reminds us that real impact doesn’t always need to be loud.
