Post by : Meena Ariff

New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani took his oath of office at midnight using a centuries-old Quran, marking a historic moment for the city. This was the first time a New York City mayor was sworn in on Islam’s holy book, highlighting both his personal faith and the city’s long tradition of diversity.

At 34 years old, Mamdani is among the youngest mayors in New York City’s history. He is also the first Muslim, the first South Asian, and the first African-born individual to hold the city’s top office. The ceremony was held inside a long-closed subway station beneath City Hall, chosen for its symbolic connection to New York’s past and future.

The oath to protect city, state, and federal constitutions does not require any religious text. Still, Mamdani chose the Quran to honor his heritage and the community that supported him. Traditionally, most previous mayors have used a Bible during their swearing-in ceremonies.

For the inauguration, Mamdani used two Qurans—one that belonged to his grandfather and another small manuscript dating back to the late 18th or early 19th century. This historic Quran is preserved at the New York Public Library, within the Schomburg Center for Research in Black Culture.

Library curator Hiba Abid said the modest Quran represents the long and diverse history of Muslims in New York and beyond. Unlike richly decorated manuscripts linked to royalty, the book has a simple red leather binding, showing it was meant for everyday reading rather than ceremony.

Scholars believe the manuscript was created during the Ottoman period in a region that includes parts of present-day Syria, Lebanon, Israel, Jordan, and the Palestinian territories. It later became part of the collection of Arturo Schomburg, a historian known for documenting the global contributions of people of African descent.

While Mamdani’s campaign focused strongly on affordability and economic justice, he was also open about his Muslim identity. He regularly visited mosques across all five boroughs, encouraging participation from many first-time South Asian and Muslim voters.

His rise to office also drew criticism and Islamophobic remarks from some quarters. Addressing such attacks before the election, Mamdani said he would not hide his faith or identity and would continue to stand openly and confidently.

Some conservative figures criticized his choice to use the Quran, including U.S. Senator Tommy Tuberville. The Council on American-Islamic Relations has previously labeled him an anti-Muslim extremist based on earlier statements.

Similar controversies occurred in 2006 when Keith Ellison, the first Muslim elected to the U.S. Congress, used a Quran for his ceremonial oath.

After the inauguration, the historic Quran will be placed on public display at the New York Public Library. Curators hope the attention will encourage people to explore the city’s rich records of Muslim life, culture, and history, reinforcing the idea that the manuscript’s true value lies in its accessibility and shared public meaning.

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