Zohran Mamdani made history as he took the oath of office as New York City’s mayor in a unique and meaningful way. He became the first mayor of the city to be sworn in using the Quran, marking an important moment in the city’s long and diverse history.
The oath-taking ceremony was held shortly after midnight at a closed subway station beneath Times Square. It was a quiet and private event meant to avoid any confusion about leadership as the new term began. Later, a larger public ceremony was planned at New York City Hall so citizens could share in the moment.
During the oath, Mamdani placed his hand on two Qurans. One was a very old copy that once belonged to Arturo Schomburg, a respected Black historian and writer. This Quran was borrowed from the New York Public Library. The second Quran belonged to Mamdani’s grandfather, adding a strong personal and family connection to the ceremony.
The Quran from the library has deep historical value. Arturo Schomburg was born in Puerto Rico in the late 1800s and later moved to New York. He played an important role during the Harlem Renaissance, a time when Black art, culture, and ideas flourished. In 1926, he sold his large collection of books and papers to the New York Public Library. This collection later became the famous Schomburg Center for Research in Black Culture.
Library officials praised Mamdani’s choice, saying it honored one of New York’s most influential scholars and reflected the city’s shared history.
At 34, Mamdani is not only the first Muslim mayor of New York City, but also the first South Asian and African-born person to hold the office. His oath symbolized faith, heritage, and the city’s rich cultural mix, sending a strong message of inclusion and respect to millions of New Yorkers.