New York : As the calendar turned to 2026, Zohran Mamdani made history by stepping into the role of New York City’s mayor, becoming the first Muslim and the first South Asian to hold this esteemed office.
In an intimate and symbolic ceremony held in the quiet hours of Thursday morning, Mamdani took the oath of office on the Holy Quran, surrounded by his family and a few close attendees. The ceremony took place at the Old City Hall subway station, a long-forgotten historical site that dates back to 1904 and was closed to the public in 1945.
The oath was administered by New York Attorney General Letitia James, with Senator Bernie Sanders slated to lead a larger public celebration later in the day.
Mamdani, 34, is the son of esteemed academic Mahmood Mamdani from Columbia University and internationally recognized filmmaker Mira Nair. Known for her iconic films like Mississippi Masala and Monsoon Wedding, Nair’s cultural influence runs deep, and Mamdani’s fluent Urdu reflects that heritage.
The ceremony itself was a momentous occasion, not just for Mamdani but also for the significant items used in the swearing-in. One of the Qurans was passed down from Mamdani’s grandfather, while the other, previously owned by renowned historian Arturo Schomburg, was loaned by the New York Public Library.
Originally from Uganda, Mamdani rose to prominence in New York’s political circles with his charm, engaging digital presence, and focus on addressing the city’s skyrocketing cost of living. With this win, he now holds the title of the youngest-ever mayor in the city’s history, responsible for managing a staggering $116 billion budget under the watchful eye of global scrutiny.
His victory in the November 4 mayoral race was a defining moment for the progressive wing of the Democratic Party, as he triumphed over former Governor Andrew Cuomo and Republican Curtis Sliwa.
A self-identified democratic socialist, Mamdani’s campaign focused on policies aimed at economic justice and expanded public services. His sweeping plans include free public buses, universal childcare, the creation of city-run grocery stores, an extensive expansion of rent-stabilized housing, and a bold move to raise the minimum wage to $30 per hour by 2030.
