Zohran Mamdani Takes Oath on Quran as he is Sworn in as New York Mayor

  • Publish date: Thursday، 01 January 2026 Reading time: two min read

Historic Inauguration Sees NYC’s First Muslim Mayor Take Oath on Quran, Signalling New Era for America’s Largest City.

Zohran Mamdani made history at the stroke of midnight on New Year’s Day, becoming the new mayor of New York City in a ceremony rich with symbolic significance and civic optimism.

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The 34-year-old democratic socialist was sworn in with his hand placed on a Quran, marking the first time in the city’s history that a mayor has taken the oath of office on Islam’s holy book. 

The inaugural ceremony took place just after midnight on January 1, 2026, in a decommissioned subway station beneath City Hall, a site chosen by Mamdani to reflect his deep commitment to public transit and everyday New Yorkers.

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Surrounded by supporters and his wife, Rama Duwaji, Mamdani placed his hand on multiple Qurans, including one preserved by scholar Arturo Schomburg and lent by the New York Public Library—a gesture organisers said symbolised inclusion, representation and the diverse history of the city’s Muslim communities. 

“This is truly the honor and the privilege of a lifetime,” Mamdani said after taking the oath, capturing both the personal and historic weight of the moment. 

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Mamdani’s swearing-in ushers in several firsts for New York: he is the city’s first Muslim mayor, its youngest in generations, and its first mayor of South Asian descent and African birth. His election capped a hard-fought campaign in which he championed progressive policies aimed at tackling affordability, expanding public services, and elevating the voices of working-class residents. 

A public swearing-in ceremony was scheduled to follow later in the day at City Hall, where prominent liberal figures—including U.S. Senator Bernie Sanders and Representative Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez—were expected to join the festivities and officially welcome Mamdani’s term to a broader audience. 

As he assumes office, Mamdani faces the challenges of governing one of the world’s most complex and dynamic cities. Yet his historic inauguration—anchored in faith, diversity, and progressive ambition—signals a new chapter for New York as it steps into 2026.

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