Post by : Meena Ariff

New York City is preparing for a landmark moment as Zohran Mamdani gets ready to take his oath of office as mayor at midnight, using Islam’s holy book, the Quran. This will be the first time in the city’s long political history that a mayor is sworn in on a Quran, marking a powerful symbol of the city’s diversity and changing leadership landscape.

At 34, Mamdani is set to create multiple firsts. He will become New York City’s first Muslim mayor, the first South Asian to hold the office, and the first African-born individual to lead the nation’s most populous city. The midnight ceremony will be held in a long-shuttered subway station beneath City Hall, a location chosen for its historical and symbolic significance.

During the oath-taking, Mamdani will place his hand on two Qurans. One is a deeply personal family heirloom that belonged to his grandfather. The other is a rare pocket-sized Quran dating back to the late 18th or early 19th century, currently preserved at the New York Public Library’s Schomburg Center for Research in Black Culture.

Library officials say the historic Quran reflects the longstanding presence and contributions of Muslim communities in New York. Curator Hiba Abid explained that unlike ornate religious manuscripts created for royalty or elites, this Quran is modest in design. With its deep red binding, simple floral detailing, and clear script, it was likely intended for everyday use by ordinary readers.

The manuscript was acquired by Arturo Schomburg, a Black Puerto Rican historian known for documenting the global history of people of African descent. Although it remains unclear how the Quran came into his possession, scholars believe it reflects Schomburg’s interest in the connections between Islam and Black cultures in the United States and Africa.

Mamdani’s own life story mirrors the journey of the manuscript. Born in Uganda to a South Asian family and raised in New York City, he represents a blend of global identities that define modern New York. His wife, Rama Duwaji, who is American-Syrian, played a key role in selecting the historic Quran for the ceremony.

Throughout his campaign, Mamdani focused heavily on affordability, housing, and cost-of-living issues. At the same time, he was open and visible about his Muslim faith. He frequently visited mosques across all five boroughs, building strong support among Muslim and South Asian communities, many of whom were voting for the first time.

His rapid political rise also attracted criticism and Islamophobic rhetoric from some quarters. Despite this, Mamdani has remained vocal about his identity, stating that he refuses to hide his faith or change who he is for political comfort.

Following the inauguration, the historic Quran used in the ceremony will be placed on public display at the New York Public Library. Officials hope the attention surrounding the event will encourage more people to explore the city’s rich and diverse Islamic history.

Mamdani’s swearing-in is being seen not only as a personal milestone, but as a defining moment for New York City — one that reflects its evolving identity, deep diversity, and growing commitment to representation and inclusion.

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