Mamdani’s oath included a Quran belonging to his grandfather and a historic, pocket-sized Quran from the Schomburg Center for Research in Black Culture at the New York Public Library. The smaller Quran, believed to date back to the late 18th or early 19th century and produced during the Ottoman period, reflects Mamdani’s interest in historical ties between Islam and Black cultures in the U.S. and Africa. Mamdani’s wife, Rama Duwaji, selected the Qurans, symbolizing the city’s long-established Muslim community.
A public oath-taking ceremony followed in the afternoon, attended by family and dignitaries. Mamdani received Prime Minister Modi’s condolence letter for the occasion, highlighting his Indian heritage.
Mamdani’s election on November 4, 2025, marked several firsts: he is the youngest, first Indian-origin, and first Muslim mayor in New York in over a century. During his victory speech at Brooklyn’s Paramount Theater, Mamdani referenced India’s independence speech by Jawaharlal Nehru, connecting his immigrant heritage to the city’s identity. “New York is a city of immigrants. Immigrants built this city, they ran it with hard work, and from today, immigrants will run this city. This is our identity, and we will protect it,” he said.
Born in Uganda to Indian-origin parents, Mamdani is the son of filmmaker Mira Nair and academic Mahmood Mamdani. His campaign focused on issues such as inflation, social equity, and inclusivity, earning support from South Asian, Muslim, and first-time voters across the city. Mamdani’s outreach to mosques and immigrant communities played a key role in his electoral success.
Experts note that Mamdani’s election is symbolically significant in U.S. politics, demonstrating the growing influence of diverse communities in major metropolitan governance. Analysts also highlight that his swearing-in with the Quran underscores a broader acceptance of religious plurality in civic traditions.
With Mamdani assuming office, New York City sets a precedent in embracing diversity at the highest municipal level, marking a historic moment for both the Muslim and Indian diaspora in the United States.
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