In a landmark moment for New York City's political and cultural landscape, Zohran Mamdani is set to make history on January 1. He will become the first mayor of the city to place his hand on the Quran during his official swearing-in ceremonies. This act symbolizes a significant shift in the city's public life, reflecting its diverse demographics.
A Ceremony Steeped in Personal and Public History
According to senior adviser Zara Rahim, Mamdani, who is South Asian, millennial, and Muslim—a first for the mayor's office—will use at least three unique Qurans for the events. For his private swearing-in early on Thursday, he will use two sacred texts. One is his grandfather's personal Quran, and the other is a historically significant volume that belonged to Arturo Schomburg, the renowned Black writer and historian. This Schomburg Quran has been lent by the New York Public Library for the occasion.
For the public ceremony at City Hall, Mamdani will again use his grandfather's Quran, joined by his grandmother's Quran. The selection process involved Hiba Abid, the library’s curator for Middle Eastern and Islamic Studies, along with Mamdani’s wife, Rama Duwaji. Abid noted that the choice powerfully brings together "elements of faith, identity and New York history."
Correcting a "Long Deferred Absence"
While New York law does not require elected officials to use a religious text for the oath of office, most past mayors have traditionally used a Bible. Mamdani, whose faith was a defining feature of his campaign, emphasized the importance of displaying both a family heirloom and a Quran connected to a notable New York figure. Zara Rahim stated that this deliberate decision helps correct "a long deferred absence" of Muslims in the city's civic narrative.
"This moment will mark a turning point in the civic history of New York City, and it belongs to every New Yorker whose lives shaped this city quietly, without ever being reflected back to them," Rahim added. Following the inauguration, the Schomburg Quran will be displayed publicly for the first time in a special exhibit at the New York Public Library, starting the Tuesday after the event.
Joining a Growing Tradition of Inclusive Oaths
Mamdani is now part of a small but growing group of American elected officials who have chosen a Quran for their swearing-in. The tradition includes Keith Ellison, who as a congressman was the first to do so in 2007, and Representative Ilhan Omar of Minnesota. In New York City itself, Council member Shahana Hanif was sworn in with a family Quran in 2022. Hanif praised Mamdani's choice, saying it "represents this example of extending solidarity to the Muslim community in New York City and, really, abroad."
The use of personal and historical artifacts in oath-taking is not new for New York mayors. In 2021, Eric Adams took his oath with one hand on his mother's Bible and the other on a framed photo of her. Former mayor Bill de Blasio used a Bible that once belonged to President Franklin D. Roosevelt. Mamdani's inauguration, however, marks a historic first for the Quran in the city's highest office, celebrating the rich tapestry of faith and heritage that defines modern New York.
