Zohran Mamdani taking oath
Indian-origin Zohran Mamdani made history on Thursday as the New York City’s first South Asian and Muslim mayor after being sworn in during a private midnight ceremony in an old subway station on a Quran. 34- year old Mamdani becoming the second-youngest mayor in NYC history.The intimate swearing-in ceremony took place at the historic Old City Hall subway station, where Mamdani took his oath on a Quran from the New York Public Library’s Schomburg Centre collection. This marks the first time a New York City mayor used Islam’s holy text to be sworn in.
The Quran used in the ceremony holds special significance. “This specific Quran, which Arturo Schomburg preserved for the knowledge and enjoyment of all New Yorkers, symbolises a greater story of inclusion, representation, and civic-mindedness,” said NYPL President Anthony W. Marx said,His wife, artist Rama Duwaji, stood by his side as State Attorney General Letitia James administered the oath.Later on Thursday, a public inauguration ceremony is planned outside City Hall, where Senator Bernie Sanders will conduct the ceremonial oath of office. The choice of the Old City Hall Station for the initial ceremony carries special meaning. Mamdani explained, “it was a physical monument to a city that dared to be both beautiful and build great things that would transform working people’s lives.” He sees this as a symbol of his administration’s commitment to serving New Yorkers. Mamdani, who won a decisive victory in November against Republican Curtis Sliwa and independent candidate Andrew Cuomo, brings a unique background to the role. He is the son of filmmaker Mira Nair and Columbia University professor Mahmood Mamdani. Born in Kampala, Uganda, he moved to New York at age 7 and became a US citizen in 2018.
