New York city mayor swears on Quran to bring ‘new era’

The 34-year-old politician of Indian descent, Zohran Mamdani, has become the largest US city’s first Muslim leader

A democratic socialist and previously little-known state lawmaker, Zohran Mamdani, has been sworn in as New York City’s 110th mayor, the first Muslim and African-born person of Indian descent to hold the position.

The 34‑year‑old politician took his midnight oath on a centuries-old Quran in a long‑closed subway station beneath City Hall on Thursday. At a public inauguration speech outside City Hall later in the day, Mamdani leaned heavily into his democratic socialist ideology, vowing to “govern expansively and audaciously.”

“My fellow New Yorkers – today begins a new era!” he declared in a nearly 25‑minute address before a crowd of about 4,000 people.

“I was elected as a Democratic socialist and I will govern as a Democratic socialist,” he said. “I will not abandon my principles for fear of being deemed radical.”

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Mamdani pledged to pursue universal childcare, a rent freeze, free buses and a tax on the wealthiest residents to fund his agenda. He explicitly rejected the influence of wealth and power in city governance, vowing to answer to the people, not to “any billionaire or oligarch who thinks they can buy our democracy.”

The ceremony was attended by progressive allies including Sen. Bernie Sanders, who administered the public oath, and Rep. Alexandria Ocasio‑Cortez, who hailed the election as a response to “untenable and unprecedented times.”

Mamdani’s radical political stance has been a focal point of controversy and criticism both from conservatives and fellow Democrats. Mamdani has been an outspoken critic of Israel’s military campaign in Gaza, which he has characterized as “genocide,” and has promised to arrest Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu under an International Criminal Court warrant if he visits New York. In response, outgoing Mayor Eric Adams issued executive orders opposing divestment from Israel and banning protests near houses of worship.

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President Donald Trump, who during the campaign branded Mamdani a “communist lunatic” and threatened to strip federal funding from the city, struck a notably different tone after a White House meeting in November.

“I can tell you, some of my views have changed… I feel very confident that he can do a very good job,” Trump said. Mamdani, for his part, said the meeting was “productive” but later reaffirmed that he still considers Trump a “fascist.”

Mamdani struck a unifying note in his inaugural speech, promising to represent all New Yorkers. “Regardless of our differences, I will protect you, celebrate with you, mourn alongside you, and never hide from you,” he said.