Zohran Mamdani has officially assumed office as the mayor of New York City, marking a historic moment as the city’s first Muslim mayor and the youngest to lead the metropolis in generations.
The 34-year-old Democrat was sworn in just after midnight on Thursday at a rare and symbolic location — the long-decommissioned City Hall subway station in Manhattan. During the ceremony, Mamdani placed his hand on the Quran while taking the oath, underscoring the city’s deep-rooted diversity and multicultural character.
Calling the moment “the honour and privilege of a lifetime,” Mamdani said the responsibility of leading the United States’ largest city was both humbling and deeply personal.
The oath was administered by New York Attorney General Letitia James, a close political ally, inside the historic station known for its ornate arches and architectural beauty.
Zohran Mamdani becomes the mayor of New York City after taking the oath of office at an historic, decommissioned subway station in Manhattan. Mamdani was sworn in as the first Muslim leader of America’s biggest city, placing his hand on a Quran as he took his oath. pic.twitter.com/D6qyebCa6L
— The Associated Press (@AP) January 1, 2026
Later in the day, Mamdani is scheduled to be sworn in again at a public ceremony at City Hall. The oath will be administered by US Senator Bernie Sanders, a longtime inspiration for the new mayor. The event will be followed by a public celebration on Broadway’s famed “Canyon of Heroes,” a site traditionally reserved for iconic ticker-tape parades.
Beyond becoming the city’s first Muslim mayor, Mamdani is also the first mayor of South Asian descent, the first born in Africa, and one of the most closely watched progressive politicians in the country.
Born in Kampala, Uganda, Mamdani moved to New York City at the age of seven. Growing up in a post-9/11 America, he has spoken openly about the challenges faced by Muslim communities during that period. He became a US citizen in 2018.
Mamdani rose to prominence on a campaign centred on affordability in one of the world’s most expensive cities. His platform includes proposals for free child care, fare-free buses, a rent freeze affecting nearly one million households, and a pilot programme for city-run grocery stores.
As he takes office, Mamdani inherits one of the most demanding roles in American politics — balancing bold reform promises with the daily realities of governing a city of more than eight million people, from public transport and housing to sanitation, infrastructure, and public safety.
