On the first day of the new year, Zohran Mamdani will step into office as New York City’s next mayor, with many firsts to his name. The 34-year-old Democrat is not only the youngest (in over a century) mayor of the New York City, but also the first Muslim, first Indian-origin, first South Asian to be seated at the post. As per New York Times, Mamdani will take oath on the Quran during both of his swearing-in ceremonies. It will mark the first time in New York City’s history that a mayor takes the oath of office using Islam’s holy book, according to the New York Times.
Why Zohran Mamdani’s swearing-in will be historic
Mamdani will use three different Qurans across two ceremonies. According to NYT, citing senior adviser Zara Rahim, the choices were made carefully and with intention. During his private, just-after-midnight swearing-in, Mamdani will place his hand on his grandfather’s Quran and another that once belonged to Arturo Schomburg, the renowned Black writer and historian. The Schomburg Quran is being lent by the New York Public Library, according to NYT.
Later in the day, at the formal City Hall ceremony, Mamdani will again use his grandfather’s Quran, along with at least one other Quran from his family collection. Though he owns a personal Quran, he has chosen not to use it for the occasion.
“It’s a highly symbolic choice because we’re about to have a Muslim mayor swearing in using the Quran but also a mayor who was born on the African continent, in Uganda,” said Hiba Abid, the library’s curator who worked with Zara Rahim and Mamdani’s wife, Rama Duwaji, to choose the Quran for the ceremony. “It really brings together here elements of faith, identity and New York history.”
While most elected officials in the US place their hand on a religious book during their oath, there is no legal requirement to do so. Some officials choose no book at all. Traditionally, New York City mayors have used a Bible. In 2021, Eric Adams used his mother’s Bible while holding a photo of her. Before him, Bill de Blasio used a Bible that once belonged to President Franklin D. Roosevelt.
In 2007, Keith Ellison became one of the first when he was sworn into Congress. Ilhan Omar, who later succeeded him in Minnesota, also used a Quran. In New York City, Council member Shahana Hanif used a family Quran during her 2022 swearing-in.
Who will attend Mamdani’s inauguration
Zohran Mamdani will officially become New York City’s 112th mayor early Thursday morning. He will also be the youngest person to hold the job in more than 100 years. He will take the oath of office twice.
Just after midnight on January 1, Mamdani will be sworn in during a small, private ceremony at the old City Hall subway station, the first subway station ever built in New York.
He will be joined by his wife, Rana Duwaji, close family members, and a limited number of reporters. New York State Attorney General Letitia James will administer the oath, during which Mamdani will promise to uphold the US Constitution, the state constitution, and the city charter.
Mamdani said he chose the location because it represents a city that dared to build beautifully while improving the lives of working people, values he says will guide his administration.
Later in the afternoon, Mamdani will take part in a bigger public inauguration on the steps of City Hall, followed by a block party through the Canyon of Heroes. The celebration is expected to draw tens of thousands of New Yorkers.
The formal ceremony begins at 1 pm Public Advocate Jumaane Williams and incoming City Comptroller Mark Levine will also be sworn in.
- Senator Bernie Sanders will administer the ceremonial oath of office.
- Congresswoman Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez is set to deliver the opening remarks.
- Mark Levine, the incoming city comptroller, will also be sworn in during the ceremony.
- Public Advocate Jumaane Williams, who was re-elected, will also take the oath.
- Former New York City mayor Bill de Blasio has confirmed he will attend.
- Several members of the inaugural committee will be there as well, including actor John Turturro, playwright Cole Escola, and Pulitzer Prize–winning writer Colson Whitehead.
Around 4,000 tickets will be distributed through RSVP for the swearing-in. The attendees are advised to arrive between 11 aM and noon.
