Zahram Mamdani takes oath on Quran

Zahram Mamdani was sworn in as the new mayor of New York City. He placed his hand on the Quran during the swearing-in ceremony, marking the first time in New York City history that a mayor has taken the oath holding a Quran in his hand. He placed his hand on two Qurans today; one his grandfather’s personal Quran and the other a pocket-sized antique Quran.
The swearing-in ceremony was held in a long-closed subway station below City Hall. His wife, Rama Duwaji, was also at the swearing-in ceremony. Although New York mayors usually take the oath on the Bible, they are not legally required to use a religious book. Still, Mamdani’s decision adds a new dimension to the city’s history.
The Associated Press reported that 34-year-old Democratic leader Zahram Mamdani is New York City’s first Muslim mayor. At the same time, he is the first South Asian and the first person of African descent to hold the position. In his campaign, he emphasized issues such as the cost of living, housing, and the financial pressures of ordinary people. He was also clear and confident about his Muslim identity. Through regular campaigning, he built strong support among South Asian and Muslim voters.
The ancient Quran used in the oath is part of the collection of the Schomberg Center for Research in Black Culture at the New York Public Library. According to experts, it is a late 18th- or early 19th-century Ottoman-era manuscript, believed to have been created somewhere in what is now Syria, Lebanon, Israel, the Palestinian Territories, and Jordan.
While some conservatives have criticized the decision to swear in on the Quran, supporters say it reflects New York City’s multicultural and multireligious identity. After the oath, the ancient Quran will be put on public display at the New York Public Library.