Zohran Mamdani Makes History as New York Mayor
Zohran Mamdani was inaugurated as New York City’s mayor at a public ceremony on Thursday, marking the beginning of his tenure as the city’s 112th mayor. The gathering took place on the steps of City Hall, attracting hundreds of New Yorkers. At 34, Mamdani stands as the youngest mayor the city has witnessed in generations. He also made history as New York City’s first Muslim mayor, the first mayor of South Asian origin, and the first to be born in Africa. Independent Senator Bernie Sanders administered the public oath of office. Before the ceremony, Congresswoman Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez introduced Mamdani to the crowd. Speaking to the audience, Mamdani stated, “My fellow New Yorkers, today begins a new era. I stand before you, deeply touched by the honor of taking this sacred oath. “Humbled by the faith that you have placed in me.” He expressed that he was “honoured to serve” as either the city’s 111th or 112th mayor, highlighting a long-standing dispute in New York’s official records. “While only action can change minds, I promise you this: if you are a New Yorker, I am your mayor,” Mamdani stated. In his speech, Mamdani expressed gratitude to Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez and Bernie Sanders for their support. He also mentioned outgoing mayor Eric Adams with a hint of humor, stating, “I will always be touched that he chose me as the mayoral candidate that he would most want to be trapped within in an elevator.”
Mamdani’s wife was present at the ceremony alongside his parents — filmmaker Mira Nair and academic Mahmood Mamdani. The invocation was delivered by Imam Khalid Latif. He was accompanied by faith leaders from various religious communities, showcasing the city’s diversity. Music played a pivotal role in Mamdani’s inauguration. The programme showcased an inviting musical selection by DJ mOma, succeeded by a performance of “Bread and Roses” by Grammy-winning artist Lucy Dacus. Actor Mandy Patinkin and the PS22 Chorus of Staten Island delivered a poignant rendition of “Somewhere Over the Rainbow.” The ceremony concluded with a captivating Punjabi music performance by Toronto-based artist Babbulicious, who delivered a rendition of “Gaddi Red Challenger.” Mamdani, accompanied by his wife Rama Duwaji, was observed dancing as the audience participated enthusiastically.
Prior to the public ceremony, Mamdani privately took an oath just after midnight at a secluded subway station. He was accompanied by his wife and family. In his remarks following the event, he stated, “This is truly the honour and the privilege of a lifetime.” I eagerly anticipate seeing everyone tomorrow as we embark on our term. “After just having taken my oath to become the mayor of the city of New York, I do so also here in the old city hall subway station — a testament to the importance of public transit to the vitality, the health, the legacy of our city.” For the private ceremony, Mamdani opted to take his oath on a Quran from the New York Public Library that was previously owned by Afro-Latino historian Arturo Schomburg.
Mamdani hails from Kampala, Uganda. His father, Mahmood Mamdani, is a distinguished author and Marxist scholar, while his mother, Mira Nair, is an acclaimed filmmaker recognized for her works including Monsoon Wedding and The Namesake. At the age of seven, he relocated to New York City, attended public schools, and ultimately graduated from the Bronx High School of Science. Mamdani earned a degree in Africana Studies from Bowdoin College and became a US citizen in 2018. Prior to his political career, Mamdani served as a housing counsellor in Queens, assisting low-income families with housing concerns and financial difficulties. He subsequently made history as the first South Asian man and the first Ugandan elected to the New York State Assembly, marking him as only the third Muslim to occupy this position. Mamdani commenced his political journey with the Democratic Socialists of America in 2017. He secured his State Assembly seat in 2020 and was re-elected without opposition in both 2022 and 2024. His key policy goals encompass affordable housing, free public transport, and an increase in the minimum wage to $30 by 2030. In announcing his candidacy for mayor, Mamdani stated, “This campaign is for every person who believes in the dignity of their neighbours and that the government’s job is to actually make our lives better.”
