Historic First: Zohran K. Mamdani Sworn In on the Holy QURAN as New York City’s 112th Mayor, Youngest Since 1892: In a landmark moment for American political history, Zohran K. Mamdani was sworn in as the 112th Mayor of New York City, becoming the youngest mayor since 1892, the first South Asian Muslim mayor, and the first New York City mayor to take the oath of office on the Holy QURAN. At just 34 years old, Mamdani’s inauguration marks a profound generational, cultural, and religious milestone.
The oath of office was administered just after midnight at an abandoned subway station beneath City Hall, symbolizing movement, accessibility, and the everyday realities of working New Yorkers.
Oath Administered by New York Attorney General Letitia James
Mamdani’s historic oath-taking was performed by New York Attorney General Letitia James, adding further significance to the moment. A larger ceremonial inauguration is scheduled to take place later in the day at City Hall, where Mamdani will formally address the city.
The public event is expected to draw 4,000 ticketed guests and will feature speeches from prominent progressive leaders, including U.S. Senator Bernie Sanders and Congresswoman Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, underscoring Mamdani’s strong ties to the national left-wing movement.
Historic First: Mamdani Uses the Holy QURAN at Mayoral Swearing-In
Zohran Mamdani made history by becoming the first mayor of New York City to swear in on the Holy QURAN. During the midnight subway ceremony, he placed his hand on two Qurans—his grandfather’s personal Holy QURAN and a rare pocket-sized Holy QURAN dating back to the late 18th or early 19th century.
The historic Holy QURAN is part of the collection at the New York Public Library’s Schomburg Center for Research in Black Culture and once belonged to Arturo Schomburg, the renowned Black Puerto Rican historian.
“It’s a small Holy QURAN, but it brings together elements of faith and identity in New York City history,” said Hiba Abid, curator for Middle Eastern and Islamic Studies at the Schomburg Center.
Scholars believe the manuscript reflects Schomburg’s interest in the historical links between Islam, Black culture, and the African diaspora in the United States and across Africa.
Transportation at the Center of Mamdani’s Mayoral Agenda
Transportation emerged immediately as a cornerstone of Mayor Mamdani’s administration. As his first official act, he announced the appointment of Mike Flynn as Commissioner of the New York City Department of Transportation, signaling a strong focus on affordability, safer streets, and reliable public transit.
City officials say transportation policy under Mamdani will be closely tied to lowering the cost of living, improving mobility equity, and enhancing quality of life across all five boroughs.
From Global Roots to City Hall
Born in Kampala, Uganda, to Indian parents—eminent academic Mahmood Mamdani and acclaimed filmmaker Mira Nair—Zohran Mamdani spent part of his childhood in Cape Town, South Africa, before his family settled in New York City.
He graduated from the Bronx High School of Science and earned a bachelor’s degree in Africana Studies from Bowdoin College in 2014, shaping his long-standing commitment to social justice, history, and inclusion.
Legislative Experience and Political Rise
Before becoming mayor, Mamdani represented the 36th New York State Assembly District, covering Astoria, Ditmars-Steinway, and Astoria Heights. A Democratic Socialist, he gained national prominence for advocating housing affordability, public transportation access, and economic justice for working families.
A New Chapter for New York City
Zohran Mamdani’s inauguration marks a defining chapter in New York City’s history—uniting faith, representation, transportation equity, and generational change. As the youngest mayor in over a century, the first South Asian Muslim mayor, and the first to swear in on the Holy QURAN, Mamdani begins his four-year term under intense national and global attention.
As New York enters 2026, his leadership signals a city embracing its diversity while charting a bold, progressive path forward.
