Zohran Mamdani Makes History as New York City Mayor, Sworn in with Quran
Zohran Mamdani was sworn in as mayor of New York City on Thursday, January 1, 2026, becoming the first Muslim and South Asian mayor of the city, as well as the youngest person in generations to hold the office. The private ceremony took place just after midnight in a decommissioned subway station in Manhattan, where Mamdani placed his hand on a Quran while taking his oath of office.
Mamdani used two Qurans for the swearing-in: one that belonged to his grandfather and a 200-year-old copy on loan from the New York Public Library (NYPL), according to Al Jazeera. A photo provided by the NYPL showed the historic Schomburg Quran on display on December 16, 2025.
New York Attorney General Letitia James administered the oath of office as Mamdani's wife, Rama Duwaji, looked on, according to the Associated Press.
"This is truly the honour and the privilege of a lifetime," Mamdani said after being sworn in, according to Al Jazeera.
Mamdani's election and swearing-in mark a historic moment for New York City, reflecting its diverse population.
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