Friday World 1,1,2026
On the midnight of January 1, 2026, New York City witnessed a groundbreaking moment in its history. 34-year-old Democratic Socialist Zohran Kwame Mamdani was sworn in as the Mayor of New York City, becoming the first person to take the oath of office with his hand placed on the Holy Quran. This marked the first time in the city's 400+ years of history that a mayor has used Islam’s sacred book for the swearing-in ceremony.
→ Zohran Mamdani, born in Kampala, Uganda, to Indian-origin parents, has made history in multiple ways. He is the first **Muslim**, the first **South Asian**, and the first Africa-born individual to become Mayor of New York City. Additionally, he is the youngest person to hold the office since 1892. His victory came in the 2025 mayoral election, where he defeated former Governor Andrew Cuomo in the Democratic primary and went on to win the general election against Republican Curtis Sliwa and independent candidate Cuomo.
→ The swearing-in ceremony took place in two parts. The first, private midnight oath was held at the historic, long-closed Old City Hall Subway Station beneath City Hall – a symbolic choice reflecting Mamdani’s commitment to working-class infrastructure and public transit. New York Attorney General Letitia James administered the oath. The second, public ceremony occurred later in the day on the steps of City Hall, where U.S. Senator Bernie Sanders officiated.
→ In both ceremonies, Mamdani placed his hand on the Quran. While the U.S. Constitution does not require any religious text for the oath, most previous mayors used the **Bible**. Mamdani’s choice highlights the city’s growing diversity and the visibility of its large Muslim community.
→ Three special copies of the Quran were used during the ceremonies:
→ 1. His grandfather’s personal Quran – a cherished family heirloom passed down through generations.
→ 2. A rare pocket-sized Quran from the late 18th or early 19th century, borrowed from the New York Public Library’s Schomburg Center for Research in Black Culture. This plain, everyday-use copy (deep red binding with a simple floral medallion, written in black and red ink) was part of the collection of renowned Black Puerto Rican historian Arturo Schomburg.
→ Hiba Abid, curator of Middle Eastern and Islamic Studies at the library, described the pocket Quran as “a small book that carries the diversity and accessibility of New York’s Muslim community. It brings together elements of faith and identity in the city’s history.”
→ After the ceremony, the historic copies will be placed on public display at the New York Public Library for visitors to view.
→ Throughout his campaign, Mamdani focused heavily on affordability issues: rent freezes, free city buses, universal childcare, municipally-owned grocery stores, and raising the minimum wage to $30/hour. A member of the **Democratic Socialists of America**, he previously served as a New York State Assemblymember from Queens. He built strong support among first-time South Asian and Muslim voters by frequently visiting mosques across all five boroughs.
→ This historic oath is more than a personal milestone – it is a powerful symbol of inclusion, representation, and the evolving identity of New York City, home to one of the most diverse Muslim populations in the United States.
→ While some conservative voices criticized the moment (with one senator tweeting “the enemy is inside the gates”), for millions of New Yorkers, Zohran Mamdani’s swearing-in represents a new chapter of hope, heritage, and progress – where faith, legacy, and forward-thinking leadership come together to shape the future of the city.
Sajjadali Nayani ✍
Friday World 1,1,2026
