New York (Parliament Politics Magazine) – Democratic socialist and ex-state assemblyman Zohran Mamdani becomes New York City’s first Muslim mayor, promising a rent freeze and universal childcare.
As reported by Josh Marcus of The Independent, shortly after midnight beneath City Hall, Zohran Mamdani took office as New York’s first Muslim, South Asian, and African-born mayor.
What did Zohran Mamdani promise as New York City’s historic mayor?
At the ceremony, Zohran Mamdani described the moment as “truly the honor and privilege of a lifetime,” taking his oath on his grandfather’s Quran and a historic volume from the New York Public Library.
He said the inauguration’s location was a
“testament to the importance of public transit to the vitality, the health and the legacy of our city.”
At the ceremony, New York Attorney General Letitia James stated,
“I can’t think of a better way to usher in 2026 than to be amongst family and friends and to inaugurate the man who will bring about a new era of progress, promise, and prosperity for New York City.”
On New Year’s Day, Mamdani will be sworn in publicly at City Hall alongside Sen. Bernie Sanders and Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, followed by a public block party.
Outgoing Mayor Eric Adams was absent from the early-morning ceremony but is expected at the public inauguration. On Wednesday, December 31, he joined the city’s Times Square ball drop to ring in the new year.
Mamdani, a former state assemblyman and son of Oscar-nominated filmmaker Mira Nair, is a democratic socialist who won a grassroots campaign promising a rent freeze, free public transit, and universal childcare in New York.
Born in Kampala, Uganda, the 34-year-old Mamdani was raised in post-9/11 New York City and united a diverse coalition of working-class New Yorkers, immigrants, and youth, promising a new era against candidates linked to scandal-plagued past administrations.
He defeated Adams, who previously faced corruption and bribery charges, and former Governor Andrew Cuomo, who resigned amid sexual harassment allegations he denied.
During the campaign, Mamdani was targeted in attacks he called racist and Islamophobic, including a controversial AI-generated ad titled “Criminals for Zohran Mamdani.”
The newly elected NYC mayor also faced concerns from Jewish residents over his past involvement with the Palestinian solidarity movement, while assuring he would tackle antisemitism and all forms of identity-based hatred in the city.
During the campaign, US President Donald Trump warned he might cut federal funding if Mamdani won the mayoral race. Still, the two later met amicably at the White House in November, with Trump offering his good wishes.
Relations between the newly elected mayor and the administration are expected to be strained, particularly over immigration and related issues.
Mamdani has prioritized advocating for immigrant communities in New York, while the Trump administration has carried out federal immigration crackdowns in largely Democratic-led cities such as Washington, Portland, Chicago, and Boston.
He will face scrutiny over how he plans to implement and fund his broad social service plans, as well as his ability to work with the NYPD, which he has previously called racist.
How did Zohran Mamdani’s Qurans reflect NYC’s Muslim heritage?
During the subway ceremony, Zohran Mamdani will place his hand on two Qurans: his grandfather’s and a historic 18th- or early-19th-century copy, part of the New York Public Library’s Schomburg Center collection.
Hiba Abid, curator for Middle Eastern and Islamic Studies at the library, said the Quran highlights the breadth and diversity of New York’s Muslim population.
She said,
“It’s a small Quran, but it brings together elements of faith and identity in New York City history.”
Abid added,
“The importance of this Quran lies not in luxury, but in accessibility.”
What did Zohran Mamdani say in his historic victory speech?
During his winning speech in November, Zohran Mamdani said,
“The sun may have set over city this evening but as Eugene Debbs once said, ‘I can see the dawn of a better day for humanity.’”
He stated,
“For as long as we can remember the working people of New York have been told by the wealthy and the well-connected that the power does not belong in their hands… and yet over the last 12 months, you have dared to reach for something greater.”
Mamdani added
“politics is not something done to us. Now it is something that we do. Tonight we have have stepped out from the old into the new. So let us speak now with clarity and conviction that cannot be misunderstood.”
The newly elected mayor continued,
“This will be an age where New Yorkers expect from their leaders a bold vision of what we will achieve rather than a list of excuses.”
How many votes did Zohran Mamdani receive in the NYC mayoral race?
Zohran Mamdani secured 1,114,184 votes in the mayoral race, accounting for 50.78% of the total and securing a majority. This victory made him the first Muslim, first South Asian, and youngest mayor of New York City in over a century.
During the November election, Mamdani faced two key opponents: Andrew Cuomo, running as an independent, and Curtis Sliwa, the Republican nominee and founder of the Guardian Angels.
