New York City's first Muslim mayor, Zohran Mamdani, took oath with his hand on the Quran

A historic moment unfolded in New York City as Zahran Mamdani took the oath of office as the city's 112th mayor. During the swearing-in ceremony, he placed his hand on the Quran and took the oath of office and secrecy, an event considered symbolic and unusual in American politics. The occasion drew attention not only in the city but across the country.

The swearing-in ceremony was held in a non-traditional manner, taking place on the platform of the old City Hall subway station located beneath City Hall Park in Manhattan. The historic station is known for its arched ceiling, colorful glass skylights, and antique lanterns. The station, which was closed in 1945, is not typically open to the public and is only occasionally used for limited tours.

34-year-old Zahran Mamdani was born in Uganda and later moved to the United States. He is not only New York City's first Muslim mayor but also its first South Asian mayor, and at the same time, he has become the youngest mayor in the past 100 years. His success is seen as a significant milestone in terms of representation and diversity in American politics.

Zahran Mamdani is affiliated with Democratic Socialist ideologies. During his election campaign, he focused on issues such as inflation, rising housing costs, and the everyday struggles of ordinary citizens. He has been a member of the state assembly from Queens and rose to national prominence after his unexpected victory in the Democratic primary.

During his campaign, Mamdani made several major promises to the public, including the launch of a universal child care program, freezing rents for nearly 2 million rent-controlled tenants, and making the city's bus service faster and free. These promises increased his popularity among young people, working-class individuals, and middle-income citizens.

New York State Attorney General Letitia James administered the oath to him. Mamdani referred to her as an important source of political guidance and inspiration. In his statement after taking the oath, he said that he would work diligently to make New York City a more just, affordable, and better place for its citizens.