Incoming Mayor Zohran Mamdani is set to make history by taking his oath of office on a centuries-old Quran, becoming the first New York City mayor to be sworn in using Islam’s holy text. Mamdani, a 34-year-old Democrat, will also be the first Muslim, the first South Asian, and the first African-born individual to hold this prestigious position. The swearing-in ceremonies are part of a long-standing New York tradition where the Mayor’s term officially commences as the New Year begins.
The first private oath-taking ceremony will occur just after midnight at the former City Hall subway station in Manhattan, attended by close family members. This historic station, closed since 1945, is rarely open to the public and holds significance as one of the original stops on New York City’s earliest underground transit line. Mamdani’s commitment to the city’s working people is reflected in the choice of this symbolic location.
New York Attorney General Letitia James, a political supporter of Mamdani, will administer the midnight swearing-in ceremony. The mayor-elect’s office emphasized that the decision to hold the ceremony at the subway station underscores Mamdani’s dedication to reviving public infrastructure investments for the betterment of everyday life. Senator Bernie Sanders will conduct a public oath ceremony at 1 p.m. local time on the steps of City Hall, with opening remarks by Representative Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, a key ally of Mamdani.
