NEW YORK (AP) — Incoming Mayor Zohran Mamdani will take his midnight oath of office on a centuries-old Quran, marking the first time a mayor of New York City uses Islam’s holy text to be sworn in and underscoring a series of historic firsts for the city.
When the 34-year-old Democrat becomes mayor in a long-closed subway station beneath City Hall, he’ll be the first Muslim, first South Asian, and first African-born person to hold that position. These milestones, alongside the historical Quran he will use, reflect the longstanding and vibrant Muslim community in New York City.
Mamdani will place his hand on two Qurans during the subway ceremony: his grandfather’s Quran and a pocket-sized version dating back to the late 18th to early 19th century, which is part of the New York Public Library’s Schomburg Center for Research in Black Culture.
The Quran symbolizes the diversity of the city’s Muslims. Hiba Abid, the library’s curator, emphasized its significance, stating, It brings together elements of faith and identity in New York City history.
Distinctly, most of Mamdani’s predecessors were sworn in on a Bible, though the official oath does not mandate any religious text. Mamdani has voiced his Muslim faith, often engaging with mosques across the city during his campaign to build support among South Asian and Muslim voters.
During his dual ceremonies, one at the subway station and a subsequent one at City Hall, Mamdani will utilize both his grandfather’s and grandmother’s Qurans. The intricacy of his selection emphasizes both familial heritage and the rich tapestry of Islamic culture in New York.
The history of the Quran he plans to use reveals a long journey. Acquired by Black Puerto Rican historian Arturo Schomburg, it reflects the historical ties between Islam and African cultures in the United States. This modest manuscript, characterized by its accessibility rather than luxury, resonates with Mamdani's narrative—a South Asian New Yorker born in Uganda, married to an American-Syrian.
However, Mamdani’s ascent as a Muslim democratic socialist has sparked criticism and Islamophobic rhetoric, with figures like U.S. Senator Tommy Tuberville expressing hostility toward his inauguration. Yet, Mamdani remains steadfast in his identity, vowing to embrace his faith publicly. Following the inauguration, the Quran will be put on display at the New York Public Library, prompting hope for greater exploration of Islamic contributions to the city.
When the 34-year-old Democrat becomes mayor in a long-closed subway station beneath City Hall, he’ll be the first Muslim, first South Asian, and first African-born person to hold that position. These milestones, alongside the historical Quran he will use, reflect the longstanding and vibrant Muslim community in New York City.
Mamdani will place his hand on two Qurans during the subway ceremony: his grandfather’s Quran and a pocket-sized version dating back to the late 18th to early 19th century, which is part of the New York Public Library’s Schomburg Center for Research in Black Culture.
The Quran symbolizes the diversity of the city’s Muslims. Hiba Abid, the library’s curator, emphasized its significance, stating, It brings together elements of faith and identity in New York City history.
Distinctly, most of Mamdani’s predecessors were sworn in on a Bible, though the official oath does not mandate any religious text. Mamdani has voiced his Muslim faith, often engaging with mosques across the city during his campaign to build support among South Asian and Muslim voters.
During his dual ceremonies, one at the subway station and a subsequent one at City Hall, Mamdani will utilize both his grandfather’s and grandmother’s Qurans. The intricacy of his selection emphasizes both familial heritage and the rich tapestry of Islamic culture in New York.
The history of the Quran he plans to use reveals a long journey. Acquired by Black Puerto Rican historian Arturo Schomburg, it reflects the historical ties between Islam and African cultures in the United States. This modest manuscript, characterized by its accessibility rather than luxury, resonates with Mamdani's narrative—a South Asian New Yorker born in Uganda, married to an American-Syrian.
However, Mamdani’s ascent as a Muslim democratic socialist has sparked criticism and Islamophobic rhetoric, with figures like U.S. Senator Tommy Tuberville expressing hostility toward his inauguration. Yet, Mamdani remains steadfast in his identity, vowing to embrace his faith publicly. Following the inauguration, the Quran will be put on display at the New York Public Library, prompting hope for greater exploration of Islamic contributions to the city.
