Joharan Mamdani becomes New York’s first Muslim mayor, creates history in America by taking oath on the Quran

New York (The Uttam Hindu): Democratic Socialist Joharan Mamdani took oath on Thursday morning as the 112th Mayor of New York City, marking a historic moment in American politics. Mamdani, who won the November 2025 election, has become New York’s first Muslim mayor. He assumed office at the beginning of the New Year. While the oath-taking ceremony was held in a limited setting, a larger public ceremony has been scheduled for the evening. This is the first time in US history that a New York mayor has taken the oath of office with the Quran.

With this, Mamdani has also created history by becoming the youngest person to ever hold the high-profile post of New York mayor. Shortly after taking oath, he said, “This is truly the honor and privilege of a lifetime.” Mamdani is also known for his strong personal and cultural connection with India.

On the New Year, just after midnight, Mamdani took oath in a private ceremony along with his wife, artist Rama Duwaji. The event was attended by his parents, renowned filmmaker Mira Nair and Columbia University professor Mahmood Mamdani.

According to US media reports, New York State Attorney General Letitia James administered the oath. Mamdani has often described James as a key political inspiration. The oath ceremony was held at the platform of the old City Hall subway station, located beneath City Hall Park in Manhattan.

American media noted that the station where Mamdani took oath has remained closed since 1945, and apart from guided tours, it is not open to the general public. It is one of New York’s 28 original subway stations, opened in 1904, symbolizing the city’s early phase of innovation and growth.

Joharan Mamdani is the son of Shia Muslim Ugandan academic Mahmood Mamdani and celebrated Indian filmmaker Mira Nair. Mahmood Mamdani’s ancestors were of Indian origin, while Mira Nair comes from a Hindu family in India. Her notable films include Salaam Bombay, Monsoon Wedding, The Namesake, Kama Sutra: A Tale of Love, and Mississippi Masala.

Born on October 18, 1991, in Kampala, Uganda, Mamdani later moved to South Africa and New York. In the US, he studied at Bank Street School for Children and Bronx High School of Science, before earning a degree in Africana Studies from Bowdoin College in 2014. In 2017, he joined the political and social organization Democratic Socialists of America, marking the beginning of his formal political journey.