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Mamdani swears-in on Quran, proud parents watch
Mamdani, who won the election last November, is the son of movie director Mira Nair, and Ugandan academic Mahmood Mamdani.
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Jeffin T. Kaleekal - Fri, 02, Jan 2026
- 01:00 EST
- 12
Zohran Mamdani attended the ceremony with his wife / Mohammed Jaffer SnapsIndia
Zohran Mamdani was sworn-in as New York City's first Indian-origin mayor on Jan. 1. Organized on the steps of City Hall, the ceremony witnessed attendance from many New Yorkers, with his parents and wife occupying front-row seats.
Mamdani, the first Muslim mayor of the world's most populous city, placed his hand on a Quran as he was being sworn in by Democratic Social Senator Bernie Sanders.
Sworn in on the Quran
Mamdani was sworn-in by Senator Bernie Sanders, marking the City's first Mayoral swearing in on a Quran. Mamdani's wife, Rama Sawaf Duwaji, held a copy of the Quran as he swore in. Mamdani took the oath of office on two Korans, one belonging to his grandfather and the other to an African American writer, which his wife, Rama Duwaji, held as he repeated the words after Sanders.
Images of Zohran Mamdani swearing in as his wife, Rama Sawaf Duwaji, holds the Quran for him. / Mohammed Jaffer SnapsindiaUnder parental supervision
The new mayor took the oath as his parents watched from the dais. Mamdani' mother, movie director Mira Nair, and Ugandan academic Mahmood Mamdani, who claims Indian heritage, watched the ceremony unfold. Mamdani had recently shared a video hailing his mother's campaign efforts.
The power-couple of New York
Mamdani came to the ceremony with his wife Rama Sawaf Duwaji. The duo came to the venue in a cab, highlighting the socialistic principles that Mamdani rooted his election bid in.
Democrats celebrate the Mamdani wave
Top democratic leaders including Bernie Sanders and Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez attended the ceremony. Mamdani's win is viewed by many as a new wave in Democratic politics and is also seen by some as a revival of the Democratic party after the 2024 presidential upset.
NYC Mayor's speech
The ceremony featured Zohran Mamdani's first address as the Mayor of New York city. During his speech, Mamdani reiterated his campaign promises of free buses, free childcare from six months up, government-run shops, and a freeze on rent increases in housing regulated by the city. He also promised to bring back the era of big government in order to improve the lives of New Yorkers.
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