Democrat Zohran Mamdani Sworn In as New York’s First Muslim Mayor

Democrat Zohran Mamdani has made history after being sworn in as the first Muslim Mayor of New York City, taking the oath of office just after midnight on Thursday at a decommissioned subway station beneath Manhattan.

Mamdani placed his hand on a Quran as the oath was administered by New York Attorney General Letitia James at the old City Hall subway station, one of the city’s original stops famed for its arched ceilings.

“This is truly the honour and the privilege of a lifetime,” Mamdani said in a brief speech after the ceremony.

According to the Associated Press, Mamdani, in his first remarks as mayor, described the historic station as a “testament to the importance of public transit to the vitality, the health and the legacy of our city,” as he announced Mike Flynn as commissioner of the Department of Transportation.

He concluded by telling those present, “Thank you all so much, now I will see you later,” before leaving the station.

The 34-year-old mayor is scheduled to be sworn in again at a public ceremony at City Hall later on Thursday, with U.S. Senator Bernie Sanders administering the oath. A public block party is also planned on Broadway’s “Canyon of Heroes.”

Mamdani is the youngest mayor New York City has had in generations. He is also the city’s first mayor of South Asian descent and the first to be born in Africa.
Born in Kampala, Uganda, Mamdani moved to New York City at the age of seven. He became an American citizen in 2018 and was elected to the New York State Assembly in 2020, representing part of Queens.

His campaign focused on affordability, proposing free childcare, free buses, a rent freeze for about one million households and a pilot programme for city-run grocery stores.

Mamdani assumes office as New York City continues to recover from the COVID-19 pandemic, with violent crime, unemployment and tourism returning to pre-pandemic levels, although high prices and rising rents remain major concerns.

He is also expected to navigate a working relationship with Republican President Donald Trump, who had threatened during the campaign to withhold federal funding if Mamdani won but later invited him to the White House.

“I want him to do a great job and will help him do a great job,” Trump said.

In preparation for his administration, Mamdani has retained Police Commissioner Jessica Tisch, a move seen as easing concerns among business leaders.

Mamdani and his wife, Rama Duwaji, are expected to move from their rent-stabilised apartment into the official mayoral residence in Manhattan.