Democrat Zohran Mamdani makes history as New York’s first Muslim mayor

Mamdani

Zohran Mamdani was sworn in as mayor of New York City just after midnight on Thursday, taking the oath of office at a decommissioned subway station beneath Manhattan. A Democrat, Mamdani placed his hand on a Quran as he was sworn in as the first Muslim leader of the nation’s largest city.

According to Associated Press on Thursday, the ceremony was held at the old City Hall station, one of the city’s original subway stops, known for its arched ceilings.

“This is truly the honour and the privilege of a lifetime,” Mamdani said in a brief speech. The oath was administered by New York Attorney General, Letitia James, at the historic station. In his first remarks as mayor, Mamdani described the site 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 his commissioner of the Department of Transportation.

He closed by telling those gathered, “Thank you all so much, now I will see you later,” before heading upstairs from the station.

Mamdani is scheduled to be sworn in again at a public ceremony at City Hall later Thursday, with U.S. Sen. Bernie Sanders administering the oath.

The event will be followed by a public block party on Broadway’s “Canyon of Heroes.”

At 34, 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 age 7.

He became an American citizen in 2018 and later won a seat in the New York State Assembly in 2020, representing part of Queens. Punch