Many people feel uneasy when strange claims spread online, especially during tense political moments. So when a rumor surfaced about New York’s new mayor, Zohran Mamdani, it quickly caught attention and stirred confusion.

The claim said Mamdani planned to “introduce Arabic numerals” in New York City schools. It appeared shortly after his mayoral win, a victory built on promises to make the city more affordable. During his campaign, he often heard people say rising costs pushed them toward voting for change.

But Mamdani also faced repeated attacks about his background as the first South Asian and first Muslim mayor of New York. That made it easier for some people to believe any rumor, even ones that didn’t make sense. And this particular claim began as a joke shared by his supporters before others took it seriously.

The truth is simple: we already use Arabic numerals every single day. The numbers 0 through 9—taught in every American classroom—came from a number system passed to Europe by Arab scholars long ago. The symbols look different from the ones used in modern Arabic, but the structure is the same.

So no, Mamdani is not changing New York’s schools. The viral posts twisted a harmless joke into a false warning. Yet the moment shows how fast misinformation spreads, especially when tied to someone’s identity.

In the end, this story reminds us to pause, look closer, and question the claims that try to divide us.