Zohran Mamdani Sworn In as New York City's First Muslim Mayor in Private Ceremony
Zohran Mamdani was sworn in as New York City's mayor shortly after midnight in a private ceremony held in an abandoned City Hall subway station. The oath was administered by New York Attorney General Letitia James, with Mamdani swearing on his grandfather's Qur’an. At 34 years old, Mamdani is identified as a democratic socialist and is the city's first Muslim mayor.
Attendees at the private ceremony included Mamdani's wife, Rama Duwaji, and family members Mira Nair, his mother, and Mahmood Mamdani, his father and a Columbia University professor. A public event is planned later the same day at 1pm at City Hall, where Congressman Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez will introduce Mamdani and Senator Bernie Sanders will administer the oath.
The choice of the subway station setting for the private ceremony highlighted the significance Mamdani places on public transit as an essential element of New York City's vitality and legacy. This report is part of The Guardian's live coverage dated January 1, 2026.
