January 1 will mark a historic and symbolic chapter in New York City’s political journey as Zahran Mamdani takes the oath of office as mayor on the Holy Quran, becoming the first Muslim mayor in the city’s history and the first to use the Quran during a mayoral swearing-in ceremony.
The decision is being widely seen as a milestone that reflects New York’s cultural diversity and evolving civic identity.
Mamdani brings a background previously unseen in the mayor’s office. He is South Asian by heritage, Muslim by faith, and a representative of a younger generation, signaling a shift in the city’s political leadership.
According to The New York Times, Mamdani’s senior adviser Zara Rahim confirmed that three different copies of the Quran will be used across the oath-taking ceremonies. These include family heirlooms and historically significant editions linked to influential figures in New York’s past.
During a private swearing-in ceremony, Mamdani will use his grandfather’s Quran, while another Quran belongs to Arturo Schomburg, the renowned Black author, historian, and intellectual, provided by the New York Public Library.
For the public oath ceremony at City Hall, Mamdani will place his hand on Qurans belonging to both his grandfather and grandmother, highlighting his personal heritage and family legacy.
Hiba Abid, curator of Middle Eastern and Islamic Studies at the New York Public Library, said she collaborated with Zara Rahim and Mamdani’s wife, Rama Duwaji, to help select the Qurans for the occasion. She described the moment as one that connects faith, identity, and New York’s civic history.
The Quran from Schomburg’s collection will be displayed publicly for the first time in a special exhibition at the New York Public Library, opening on the Tuesday following the inauguration.
Under US law, elected officials are not required to use a religious text during oath-taking. However, tradition has seen most New York mayors swear in on the Bible.
Mamdani said it was important for him to use a Quran tied to his family, alongside one connected to a historic New York figure, symbolizing both personal roots and shared civic heritage.
Zara Rahim said the decision seeks to address the long-standing underrepresentation of Muslims in New York’s public and political life, calling it a meaningful step toward inclusion.
She added that the moment represents a turning point for communities that helped shape the city but rarely saw themselves reflected in positions of leadership.
Historically, New York mayors have incorporated personal or symbolic items into their inaugurations. In 2021, Eric Adams took his oath using his mother’s Bible and photograph, while Bill de Blasio used a Bible once owned by former US President Franklin D. Roosevelt.
Mamdani now joins a small group of US elected officials who have sworn in on the Quran. The tradition began in 2007 when Keith Ellison used the Quran during his congressional oath, followed by Congresswoman Ilhan Omar. In 2022, New York City Council member Shahana Hanif also took her oath on a family Quran.
Beyond politics, the ceremony is being viewed as a defining moment for representation, inclusion, and identity in one of the world’s most multicultural cities.
Mamdani’s public inauguration at City Hall will include a large gathering, the presence of Bernie Sanders and Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, and a wide live stream. He raised 2.6 million dollars for transition and inauguration events, a record for the century.
After taking office, Mamdani will move from his rent-controlled Astoria apartment to Gracie Mansion, as business leaders begin reassessing engagement with his administration.