Z
ohran Mamdani was inaugurated on Thursday as the 112th mayor of New York City during a large public ceremony at City Hall, becoming the first Muslim and first South Asian to lead the largest city in the United States.
Mamdani, 34, took the oath of office on the Quran, marking another historic first. He is also the youngest mayor in generations, and the first New York City mayor born in Africa.
The oath was administered by U.S. Senator Bernie Sanders of Vermont, a prominent democratic socialist who endorsed Mamdani during his campaign. Sanders later praised Mamdani’s victory as a major political upset against entrenched political and economic interests.
In his inaugural address, Mamdani pledged to govern for all New Yorkers, regardless of political differences.
“If you are a New Yorker, I am your mayor. Regardless of whether we agree, I will protect you, celebrate with you, mourn alongside you, and never, not for a second, hide from you,” he told the crowd.
He reaffirmed his identity as a democratic socialist, saying he would not abandon his principles, and reiterated key campaign pledges including universal childcare, rent freezes and policies aimed at lowering the cost of living.
Mamdani said his administration would work to ensure that no New Yorker is priced out of basic necessities, rejecting what he described as governance favoring only the wealthiest residents.
“This will not be a tale of one city governed only by the 1%, nor will it be a tale of two cities, the rich versus the poor,” he said.
He emphasized New York City’s diversity, noting that its residents speak many languages and practice a wide range of faiths — or none at all — and said this diversity would be reflected in his leadership.
He also referenced Palestinian New Yorkers, saying they should not be excluded from politics that claim to be universal.
Sanders said Mamdani’s campaign had defeated political establishments across party lines, calling it “the biggest political upset in modern American history.” He rejected criticism that Mamdani’s proposals were radical, arguing that affordable housing, childcare and public transit are essential policies.
Representative Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, who introduced Mamdani at the ceremony, described his election as the start of “a new era for New York City,” saying he represents a mayoralty centered on the working class.
“Zohran will be a mayor for all of us,” she said.
The ceremony included remarks from Imam Khalid Latif of the Islamic Center of New York City, alongside priests and rabbis, highlighting the city’s interfaith character.
During the event, Mark Levine was sworn in as New York City’s 52nd comptroller and Jumaane Williams was sworn in as public advocate.
Mamdani was born in Kampala, Uganda, to Indian immigrant parents and moved to New York City at age seven. He is the son of filmmaker Mira Nair and academic Mahmood Mamdani and became a U.S. citizen in 2018.
He rose to prominence after winning a seat in the New York State Assembly in 2020, representing parts of Queens. In the Nov. 4 mayoral election, he defeated former New York Governor Andrew Cuomo and Republican candidate Curtis Sliwa.
His campaign focused on affordability and expanded social services, including pledges for free public buses, universal childcare, city-run grocery stores, expanded rent-stabilized housing and raising the minimum wage to $30 an hour by 2030.
A symbolic private swearing-in took place shortly after midnight at Manhattan’s Old City Hall subway station, ahead of Thursday’s public ceremony.
(Source: Anadolu Agency)
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