New York City’s new mayor, Zohran Mamdani, was sworn into office early Thursday, taking his oath on a centuries-old Quran in a ceremony that marked a series of historic firsts for the city.
At 34, Mamdani becomes New York City’s 112th mayor and makes history as its first Muslim mayor, the first South Asian mayor, and the youngest person to hold the office in more than a century, according to news agency ANI.
“This is truly the honour and the privilege of a lifetime,” Mamdani said moments after taking the oath, as quoted by CNN.
A midnight oath at a historic subway station
Mamdani was sworn in shortly after midnight during a private ceremony held at the long-shuttered City Hall subway station beneath City Hall Park in Manhattan. The location, closed to the public since 1945, is one of the city’s original subway stops, dating back to 1904 and known for its tiled arches, stained-glass skylights and chandeliers.
The oath was administered by Letitia James, New York State’s Attorney General, whom Mamdani has previously described as a political inspiration.
Family members were present at the ceremony, including his wife, artist Rama Duwaji, and his parents — filmmaker Mira Nair and academic Mahmood Mamdani.
Speaking after the ceremony, Mamdani said the venue symbolised the importance of public transport to the city’s past and future, calling it “a testament to the importance of public transit to the vitality, the health and the legacy of our city”.
A second, public swearing-in ceremony will take place on the steps of City Hall later on Thursday afternoon. That oath will be administered by Senator Bernie Sanders, whom Mamdani has often cited as a political inspiration. The event is scheduled to begin at 1 pm local time.