Indian-Origin Zohran Mamdani Sworn In as New York City’s First Muslim Mayor

Indian-origin politician Zohran Mamdani was inaugurated as New York City’s first Muslim mayor, making history as the city’s first mayor of South Asian descent and its youngest leader in more than a century. He took the public oath on the steps of City Hall, becoming the city’s 112th mayor, as hundreds gathered to witness the landmark moment.

The oath of office was administered by Independent Senator Bernie Sanders, while Congresswoman Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez introduced Mamdani to the crowd.

Addressing New Yorkers after the ceremony, Mamdani said, “My fellow New Yorkers, today begins a new era. I stand before you moved by the privilege of taking this sacred oath, humbled by the faith that you have placed in me.” He added that he was honoured to serve as either the city’s 111th or 112th mayor, acknowledging a long-standing discrepancy in historical records.

Reaffirming his commitment to all residents, Mamdani said, “While only action can change minds, I promise you this: if you are a New Yorker, I am your mayor.” He thanked Sanders and Ocasio-Cortez for their support and paid a light-hearted tribute to his predecessor, Eric Adams, saying he would always remember that Adams once joked Mamdani was the mayoral candidate he would most like to be “trapped with in an elevator.”

Mamdani’s parents—acclaimed filmmaker Mira Nair and noted academic Mahmood Mamdani—were present at the ceremony. The invocation was delivered by Imam Khalid Latif, executive director of the Islamic Center of New York City, who was joined by faith leaders from across the city, highlighting New York’s religious diversity.

A democratic socialist, Mamdani assumes office after campaigning on a platform focused on tackling the city’s growing affordability crisis. Alongside him, Mark Levine was sworn in as city comptroller and Jumaane Williams as public advocate.

Earlier in the day, Mamdani had taken a private oath just after midnight at a closed subway station, accompanied by his wife, Rama Duwaji, and family. Calling it “the honour and privilege of a lifetime,” he said the location symbolised the vital role of public transit in New York City. During the private ceremony, he took his oath on a Quran from the New York Public Library that once belonged to Afro-Latino historian Arturo Schomburg.

The public inauguration will be followed by a large “inauguration block party” spread across seven city blocks. Despite freezing temperatures, thousands turned out to celebrate, with organisers expecting a crowd of nearly 40,000. Former New York mayor Bill de Blasio was also in attendance.

Mamdani’s inauguration adds a distinctive chapter to the city’s long tradition of memorable mayoral swearing-in ceremonies, following in the footsteps of predecessors who marked the occasion in uniquely symbolic ways.