Zohran Mamdani was sworn in as New York City mayor using the Quran, marking a historic first for the city. The swearing-in took place shortly after midnight on January 1, 2026, in a decommissioned subway station beneath City Hall, where he placed his hand on two Qurans—one belonging to his grandfather and another that once belonged to Black historian Arturo Schomburg.
- Mamdani, the city’s first Muslim, South Asian, and African-born mayor, used the Quran during both a private midnight ceremony administered by New York Attorney General Letitia James and a subsequent public inauguration.
- For the public ceremony at City Hall, he planned to use Qurans from both his grandfather and grandmother.
- The use of the Quran sparked strong reactions, with some conservative figures criticizing the move, while others highlighted its symbolic importance for inclusion and representation
