New York — New York City mayor-elect Zohran Mamdani is set to mark a historic first when he is sworn into office on January 1, taking his oath on the Quran, according to reporting by The New York Times.
At 34, Mamdani will become the first Muslim and first Indian-American mayor in the city’s history. The initial swearing-in is expected to take place shortly after midnight in a private ceremony at the former Old City Hall subway station in Lower Manhattan, a site traditionally used for late-night inaugurations. A larger, public ceremony is scheduled to follow later in the day at City Hall.
By choosing Islam’s holy book for his oath of office, Mamdani will also become the first New York City mayor to be inaugurated using the Quran, adding another symbolic milestone to the transition.
Born in Uganda to Indian parents and raised in New York City, Mamdani has frequently referenced his immigrant upbringing and Muslim faith throughout his political career. He has framed those experiences as sources of insight rather than division, emphasizing shared civic identity over cultural or religious difference.
During his campaign, Mamdani repeatedly stressed inclusivity, pledging to govern “for every New Yorker,” and positioning unity as a central theme of his leadership.
Once in office, the incoming mayor is expected to confront a series of immediate challenges, including rising living costs, ongoing public safety concerns, and mounting pressure to reconcile ambitious policy proposals with the city’s fiscal constraints.
Mamdani’s inauguration comes amid heightened national attention on representation, religious freedom, and the evolving political identity of major US cities — making his first day in office both symbolically and politically significant.