Two Pakistani Muslims elected mayor, deputy mayor in US city of Cambridge

Two Pakistani Muslims have made history by being elected Mayor and Deputy Mayor of Cambridge, Massachusetts, marking a significant moment for diversity and representation in local US politics.

Sumbul Siddiqui, a Karachi-born lawyer, has been elected mayor for the 2026–27 term. This will be her third term as mayor. She continues to hold the distinction of being the first Muslim and Asian woman to serve as mayor of Cambridge. Siddiqui was first elected to the city council in 2017 and has since become a prominent voice in local governance.

Alongside her, Burhan Azeem, an engineer trained at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) and originally from Burewala, Pakistan, has been elected Deputy Mayor. With this win, Azeem has become the youngest city councillor in Cambridge’s history, adding another milestone to the city’s political landscape.

The election of Siddiqui and Azim is being widely celebrated within the Pakistani-American community and beyond. Their success is seen as a strong symbol of inclusion and growing representation of minority communities in American public offices.

Supporters say their leadership reflects the changing face of US cities and highlights how immigrant communities are increasingly playing active roles in shaping local governance.