NEW YORK – Zohran Mamdani has been sworn in as the mayor of New York City, becoming one of the youngest leaders in the city’s history and breaking multiple cultural and political barriers in a symbolic midnight ceremony beneath City Hall.
The 34-year-old Democrat took the oath of office shortly after 12:00 am at a decommissioned subway station in lower Manhattan, a venue chosen to underscore his emphasis on public transport and shared civic spaces.
New York Attorney General Letitia James administered the oath before a small gathering of family members and senior officials.
Mamdani’s inauguration marks several historic firsts. He is New York City’s first Muslim mayor, the first mayor of South Asian descent, the first born in Africa, and among the youngest to assume the office in recent decades.
In an unprecedented moment for the city, Mamdani placed his hand on the Quran while taking the oath, becoming the first mayor in New York’s history to be sworn in using the Islamic holy book.
“This is truly the honour and the privilege of a lifetime,” Mamdani said after completing the oath, according to media reports covering the ceremony.
He said the unconventional venue reflected his belief that public infrastructure lies at the heart of the city’s identity and future.
“The old subway station is a testament to the importance of public transit to the vitality, the health and the legacy of our city,” he said.
The Quran used during the ceremony carried deep personal and historical significance. Mamdani rested his hand on two copies: one that belonged to his grandfather, and another preserved by the Schomburg Centre for Research in Black Culture at the New York Public Library.
The historic Quran, dating back to the late 18th or early 19th century, was selected to reflect the long-standing presence of Muslim communities in New York and the United States.
Mamdani’s wife, Rama Duwaji, stood beside him during the oath-taking, while organisers confirmed that a larger public inauguration ceremony would be held later on New Year’s Day.
Political leaders, community representatives and residents are expected to attend the daytime event, where the new mayor will outline his vision for the city.
The new mayor enters office following a campaign centred on housing affordability, public transport, public services and the rising cost of living—issues that resonated strongly with voters across the city.
His candidacy also drew national attention due to his background, age and outspoken political positions.
Mamdani has previously said his faith and identity will remain visible during his tenure.
“I will not change who I am, how I eat, or the faith that I’m proud to call my own,” he said in remarks cited by international media.
Attorney General James, who administered the oath, congratulated Mamdani and said the ceremony reflected the constitutional right of public officials to take oaths in line with their beliefs, a practice long recognised across different levels of government in the United States.
Mamdani is expected to deliver a formal inaugural address later on New Year’s Day, outlining his priorities for the first months of his administration, including housing availability, funding for public transport and strengthening relations between City Hall and local communities.
“This moment is not about one person,” he said. “It is about the people of this city and the work that lies ahead.”
