Zohran Mamdani will be sworn in as mayor on a Quran – a first in NYC history

Most of Mamdani’s predecessors were sworn in on a bible, although the oath to uphold the federal, state and city constitutions does not require the use of any religious text.

By The Associated Press

Incoming Mayor Zohran Mamdani will take his oath of office on a centuries-old Quran, marking the first time a mayor of New York City has used the book to be sworn in and underscoring a series of historic firsts for the city.

When the 34-year-old Democrat becomes mayor shortly after midnight in a long-closed subway station beneath City Hall, he’ll be the first Muslim, first South Asian and first African-born person to hold that position.

These milestones — as well as the historical Qurans he will use for the ceremony — reflect the Muslim population in the nation’s most populous city, according to a scholar who helped Mamdani’s wife, Rama Duwaji, select one of the books.

Most of Mamdani’s predecessors were sworn in on a Bible, although the oath to uphold the federal, state and city constitutions does not require the use of any religious text.

And while he has focused heavily on the issue of affordability during his campaign, Mamdani was outspoken about his Muslim faith.

He frequently appeared at mosques across the five boroughs as he built a base of support that included many first-time South Asian and Muslim voters.

A look at the Quran Mamdani will use

Mamdani will place his hand on two Qurans during the subway ceremony, and a third during a subsequent ceremony at City Hall on the first day of the year. Two belonged to his grandfather and grandmother.

The third is a pocket-sized manuscript dating to the late 18th or early 19th century that is part of the New York Public Library’s Schomburg Center for Research in Black Culture collection.

That Quran symbolizes the diversity and reach of the city’s Muslims, said Hiba Abid, curator for Middle Eastern and Islamic Studies at the New York Public Library.

“It’s a small Quran, but it brings together elements of faith and identity in New York City history,” Abid said. The campaign hasn’t offered more details on the ones from Mamdani’s grandparents.