Zohran Mamdani Sworn in as NYC’s First Muslim Mayor, Takes Office on Historic Quran Oath

Zohran Mamdani, the rising star of the US left, was sworn in Thursday as New York City’s mayor, beginning a term that is likely to bring him into political clashes with former President Donald Trump.

Shortly after midnight ushered in 2026, Mamdani took his oath of office at an abandoned subway station beneath City Hall, symbolizing his commitment to working-class New Yorkers. At 34, he becomes the city’s first Muslim mayor.

“This is truly the honor and the privilege of a lifetime,” Mamdani told reporters after the ceremony. The new mayor’s ambitious agenda includes rent freezes, universal childcare, and free public buses, though observers note that “symbolism only goes so far with voters. Results begin to matter a whole lot more,” said NYU lecturer John Kane.

Mamdani has faced repeated criticism from Trump, but the two held cordial talks at the White House in November. “Couldn’t have gone better from Mamdani’s perspective,” said Columbia University political analyst Lincoln Mitchell, cautioning, however, that the relationship could sour, particularly over immigration raids and federal funding disputes.

The private swearing-in was performed by New York Attorney General Letitia James, with a larger ceremonial inauguration planned later Thursday, featuring speeches from Senator Bernie Sanders and Congresswoman Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez. Tens of thousands are expected to view the ceremony from streetside areas along Broadway.

In a historic first for the city, Mamdani used multiple Korans to take his oath, including two from his family and one that belonged to Puerto Rico-born Black historian Arturo Schomburg.

Born in Uganda to an Indian family, Mamdani moved to New York at age seven and rose quickly in politics, serving in the State Assembly before his mayoral victory. To compensate for his relative inexperience, he has assembled a team of seasoned aides from prior mayoral administrations and the Biden administration.

While some have expressed concerns about potential political and economic challenges, Mamdani has already engaged with business leaders and pledged inclusive leadership, including outreach to both immigrant and Jewish communities.