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Zohran Mamdani

This historic moment symbolizes inclusion, family heritage, and NYC’s vibrant diversity in a new era.

Yesterday, just after midnight on January 1, 2026, something truly historic happened in New York City.

Zohran Kwame Mamdani was officially sworn in as the 112th mayor of NYC, becoming the first Muslim and first South Asian person to hold the office.

However, what really caught everyone’s attention was his choice to take the oath with his hand on the Quran, Islam’s holy book.

It was a powerful first for the city, and it felt like a genuine step toward representing the incredible diversity that makes New York so special.

We have been following Zohran Mamdani’s journey for a while now, and this moment felt deeply personal and meaningful.

He is a 34-year-old democratic socialist who rose from state assembly member to mayor, promising to tackle affordability, housing, and equity head-on.

Swearing on the Quran was not just tradition for him; it was a proud declaration of his faith and identity in a city home to hundreds of thousands of Muslims.

The Ceremony And The Special Qurans

The private midnight swearing-in took place in the historic Old City Hall subway station, a cool, hidden gem under the city.

New York Attorney General Letitia James administered the oath, with Mamdani’s family by his side, including his wife, artist Rama Duwaji, who held the Quran.

What made it even more symbolic was that he used three different Qurans across his ceremonies:

One was a family heirloom from his grandfather, representing personal roots and heritage passed down through generations.
Another belonged to his grandmother, adding that touching family layer.
The third was a rare, nearly 200-year-old manuscript on loan from the New York Public Library’s Schomburg Center for Research in Black Culture. This one has an amazing backstory – it once belonged to Arturo Schomburg, a Black Puerto Rican historian and activist who was not Muslim but collected important works on the African diaspora. Scholars say it highlights the long connections between Islam and Black history in America and beyond.

Choosing these books was not random.

As one expert noted, they reflect NYC’s rich Muslim community and a broader story of inclusion.

For the public ceremony later that day, Mamdani continued emphasizing his faith, even having an imam lead a prayer.

Why This Moment Matters For New York

New York City has always been a melting pot, with people from every background calling it home.

Mamdani’s oath on the Quran feels like a natural evolution, recognizing the Muslim New Yorkers who have contributed to the city for decades.

Past mayors like Michael Bloomberg and Bill de Blasio used family Bibles, so this continues a tradition of personal faith while breaking new ground.

Of course, not everyone celebrated. Some conservative voices criticized the choice, with comments stirring unnecessary division.

However, Mamdani has been open about his faith throughout his campaign, visiting mosques and building support among South Asian and Muslim voters.

He rejected advice to downplay it, and moments like this show why authenticity resonates.

In his inaugural speech, Mamdani promised to govern “expansively and audaciously,” focusing on making life better for working families.

Seeing him start his term this way gives hope that he will lead with the same boldness.

An Interesting Trivia Bit

Here is a cool fact to ponder: The Schomburg Quran dates back to the early 19th century and ended up in the collection of Arturo Schomburg, who dedicated his life to documenting Black achievements worldwide. Even though he was not Muslim, his interest in Islam’s role in African history led him to preserve this beautiful manuscript. It is a quiet reminder of how cultures have intertwined for centuries, and now it is part of a mayor’s oath in one of the world’s biggest cities!

Moments like Zohran Mamdani’s swearing-in on the Quran remind us how far we have come and how much further we can go in embracing everyone’s stories.

It is exciting to think about what this means for NYC’s future: more inclusive, more representative, and full of possibilities.

If you enjoyed this dive into a piece of living history, stick around for more thoughtful articles here at THOUSIF Inc. – USA.

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What did you think of this historic oath? Drop a comment below, we would love to hear from you!