Historic Midnight Oath: Zohran Mamdani Becomes NYC’s First Muslim Mayor
By Pereira Bimpe Blog January 1, 2026
New York City has officially entered a new era. In a move that perfectly mirrors his campaign’s focus on the working class, 34-year-old Zohran Mamdani was sworn in as the Mayor of New York City just after midnight.
The ceremony wasn't held in a gilded ballroom, but rather in the historic, abandoned Beaux-Arts City Hall subway station. Under the arched tile ceilings of the city's subterranean past, Mamdani took his oath of office, administered by State Attorney General Letitia James.
A Family and Faith-Centered Milestone
Surrounded by his wife, Rama Duwaji, and his prominent parents—celebrated filmmaker Mira Nair and Professor Mahmood Mamdani—the new Mayor made history by being the first to be sworn in using a Qur’an. In a deeply symbolic gesture, he used two: his grandfather’s personal Qur’an and a historic volume belonging to Black writer Arturo Schomburg, on loan from the New York Public Library.
"This is truly the honor and the privilege of a lifetime," Mamdani told the intimate gathering. "I do so here in the old City Hall subway station – a testament to the importance of public transit to the vitality, the health, and the legacy of our city."
The Roadmap to "The City of the Future"
Mamdani’s rise is nothing short of a political earthquake. Originally a political unknown and a Democratic Socialist, he successfully tapped into the frustrations of New Yorkers facing a post-pandemic affordability crisis.
How he won:
Grassroots Power: Over 10,000 volunteers knocked on more than 100,000 doors.
Bold Platform: He promised rent freezes, free public transport, and city-run grocery stores.
Social Media Savvy: A campaign that turned a 36% polling deficit in April into a victory in November.
Veteran analyst Hank Sheinkopf noted that Mamdani represents a "City of the Future"—one that is more diverse, more inclusive, and unapologetically left-wing.
What’s Next for NYC?
The midnight "I do's" are just the beginning. The new Mayor has already hit the ground running, appointing veteran planner Mike Flynn as the new transportation commissioner with a mandate to make the subway "the envy of the world."
The celebrations continue today at 1:00 PM with a massive public event featuring high-profile allies Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez and Senator Bernie Sanders. Outgoing Mayor Eric Adams also attended the midnight ceremony, signaling a peaceful transition of power despite the heated election cycle.
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