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New York City officially entered a new era at the stroke of midnight as Zohran Mamdani was sworn in as the 111th mayor in a hauntingly beautiful, private ceremony held deep beneath the streets of Manhattan. The 34-year-old Democratic socialist took his oath of office in the long-decommissioned Old City Hall subway station, a venue chosen to symbolize his administration’s focus on the working-class New Yorkers who rely on the city's transit "equalizer." By choosing this historic location, Mamdani becomes the first Muslim, the first South Asian, and the first African-born individual to lead the most populous city in the United States Daily Dazzling Dawn realized.
The ceremony was administered by New York State Attorney General Letitia James, a close political ally who praised Mamdani for running a campaign that centered on affordability and the dignity of everyday residents. The transition marks a stark shift in the city’s political landscape, following a high-stakes election where Mamdani secured a decisive victory over a field of seasoned political veterans.
Sacred History Meets Modern Leadership-In a move that underscores the deep religious and cultural shift within the city's leadership, Mamdani took his oath using three separate copies of the Quran. During the midnight underground ceremony, he placed his hand on two family heirlooms that belonged to his late grandfather and grandmother. A third text, a rare pocket-sized manuscript dating back to the late 18th or early 19th century, will be used during his public ceremony later today. This specific manuscript, a loan from the New York Public Library’s Schomburg Center for Research in Black Culture, was originally acquired by historian Arturo Schomburg to document the global intersections of African heritage and Islam.
The use of these texts represents more than personal faith; it serves as a tribute to the deep-rooted history of Muslims in New York. Hiba Abid, a curator at the New York Public Library, noted that the Schomburg Quran is a modest, "everyday" text rather than a luxury item for elites, mirroring Mamdani's campaign message of accessibility and grassroots power. Following the inauguration festivities, the manuscript will be returned to the library for a special public exhibition focusing on Islamic life in New York City history.
The Rising Power of the NYC Muslim Electorate-Mamdani’s historic win was propelled by a seismic shift in voter demographics, specifically within the city's expanding Muslim community. Recent data indicates that there are now approximately one million Muslims living in New York City, representing roughly 9% of the total population. This demographic has become a formidable political bloc; estimates suggest there are over 300,000 registered Muslim voters within the five boroughs, a number that has grown significantly over the last decade due to intensive "get out the vote" efforts by community organizations.
The 2025 election saw record-breaking turnout in Muslim-heavy districts across Queens and Brooklyn. Exit polls revealed that Mamdani’s focus on rent stabilization and public transit resonated deeply with this base, alongside overwhelming support from young voters of color. This "new electoral alliance" of progressive activists and socially diverse immigrant communities proved to be the decisive factor in his victory, effectively reshaping the Democratic primary and the subsequent general election.
A Two-Part Inauguration and Public Celebration-The private midnight oath is only the beginning of a full day of inaugural events designed to be as inclusive as possible. On Thursday afternoon at 1:00 PM, a massive public swearing-in ceremony will take place on the steps of City Hall. Vermont Senator Bernie Sanders, a pivotal figure in Mamdani’s political rise, will administer the ceremonial second oath. The event will also feature remarks from U.S. Representative Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez and a diverse array of interfaith leaders, signaling a collaborative approach to governance.
Following the formal program, a public block party will stretch along Broadway, featuring cultural performances and food vendors from across the five boroughs. While the rise of a Muslim democratic socialist has sparked national debate and some conservative backlash, Mamdani has remained steadfast. In his final remarks before the midnight ceremony, he emphasized that his administration would not retreat into the shadows but would instead lead with a "politics of no translation," remaining unapologetically committed to the diverse identities that make New York a global beacon of progress.
