NEW YORK – Zohran Mamdani on Thursday (1 January 2026) took oath as first Muslim mayor of New City of the United States.
The event was held at the New York City hall and it was attended by several officials and guests. He has become the first mayor of New York City to take oath on the Holy Quran.
Mamdani has expressed that the moment is a source of pride not only for him but for millions of Muslims in New York. Throughout his campaign, he emphasized that every Muslim should be treated with the same respect and dignity as any other New Yorker, without compromising on equality.
Past New York mayors have also taken their oaths on religious books of personal or historical significance. For instance, Mayor Eric Adams swore on his family Bible, Bill de Blasio on President Franklin D. Roosevelt’s Bible, and Michael Bloomberg on a Jewish Bible used for his Bar Mitzvah.
In a historic election marked by record voter turnout in November 2025, Muslim candidate Zhoran Mamdani was elected as the new Mayor of New York City.
Mamdani triumphed over independent candidate and former New York Governor Andrew Cuomo and Republican contender Curtis Sliwa.
The election witnessed the highest voter turnout since 1969, with more than two million New Yorkers casting their ballots. Despite opposition from former President Donald Trump and billionaire Elon Musk, Mamdani’s campaign prevailed, signaling a major political shift in the city. Trump had endorsed Andrew Cuomo, but his candidate faced a decisive defeat.
Born in 1991 in Uganda, Zhoran Mamdani is the son of prominent Indian-origin parents. His mother, Mira Nair, is an Oscar-nominated filmmaker, and his father, Mahmood Mamdani, is a professor at Columbia University. Mamdani’s wife, Rama Dawaji, is a visual artist of Syrian descent.
Mamdani’s victory is being seen as a win for the working class agenda. His campaign centered on affordable housing, free public transport, universal childcare, and measures to strengthen the middle class. The mayor-elect has vowed to freeze rents, make city transport free, and expand childcare access across New York.
Known for his outspoken support of Palestinians, Mamdani has previously stated that if Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, who is wanted by the International Criminal Court, visits New York, he would seek his arrest
