Zohran Mamdani, a 34-year-old progressive leader with deep personal and cultural ties to India, has been sworn in as the new mayor of New York City, marking a historic moment for America’s largest city. The low-key midnight ceremony took place in the long-abandoned Old City Hall subway station, setting the tone for a new administration that says it wants to put working people and public transport at the centre of city life.
Mamdani was administered the oath by New York State Attorney General Letitia James, in the presence of close family members, including his mother Mira Nair, the internationally acclaimed Indian-born filmmaker, and his father Mahmood Mamdani, a noted academic of Indian origin and professor at Columbia University. His wife, Rama Duwaji, and other family members were also present.
Calling it “the honour and privilege of a lifetime”, Mamdani said the choice of venue was deliberate. He said being sworn in at the old subway station underlined the importance of public transport to the city’s health, history and future.
In a first for New York City, Mamdani took the oath on the Qur’an, reflecting his Muslim faith. He used his grandfather’s Qur’an along with a historic copy associated with Black writer and historian Arturo Schomburg, lent by the New York Public Library. This made him the first mayor of the city to be sworn in using Islam’s holy book.
Soon after taking office, Mamdani announced Mike Flynn, a veteran city planner, as the new transportation commissioner. Mamdani said his goal was to make New York’s transit system “the envy of the world”, while Flynn described the role as the “job of a lifetime”.
Mamdani’s rise has been one of the most striking political stories in recent US politics. Once seen as a long shot, he defeated former New York governor Andrew Cuomo in the Democratic primary and went on to win the mayoral election with 50.78 percent of the vote. His campaign gained momentum through strong grassroots work, heavy use of social media and a sharp focus on affordability in a city struggling with high rents and living costs.