'Privilege of a lifetime': Indian-origin Zohran Mamdani sworn in as New York City first Muslim mayor at historic subway station — watch

Indian-origin Zohran Mamdani early Thursday was sworn in as New York City's mayor, beginning a four-year term. The 34-year-old Democrat, known for his left-leaning views and criticism of US President Donald Trump, took the oath of office just after midnight at the long-abandoned City Hall subway station beneath Manhattan’s City Hall.

Mamdani made history as New York's first Muslim mayor, placing his hand on the Quran during the ceremony. "This is truly the honour and the privilege of a lifetime," he said after being sworn in.



The oath was administered by New York Attorney General Letitia James, a close political ally at the historic City Hall station one of the city's original subway stops, famed for its elegant arched ceilings.


Mamdani will be sworn in again later on Thursday in a larger public ceremony at City Hall, where US Senator Bernie Sanders, one of his political inspirations, will administer the oath.


The event will be followed by a public block party along Broadway’s "Canyon of Heroes," traditionally known for ticker-tape parades.

During the mayoral campaign, Trump had threatened to withhold federal funding from New York City if Mamdani won and even floated the idea of deploying National Guard troops.

However, the president later surprised both supporters and critics by inviting Mamdani to the White House for what was described as a cordial meeting in November. "I want him to do a great job and will help him do a great job," Trump said.

Despite this, tensions are expected to resurface given their sharp policy differences, particularly on immigration.

Who is Zohran Mamdani

Born on October 18, 1991, in Kampala, Uganda, Mamdani is the son of Indian-origin parents and acclaimed filmmaker Mira Nair, known for films such as Salaam Bombay! and Monsoon Wedding, and Mahmood Mamdani, an Indian-born Ugandan academic.

He spent part of his early childhood in Cape Town before moving to New York at the age of seven.

Mamdani was educated at St George’s Grammar School in Cape Town, Bank Street School for Children, and the Bronx High School of Science. He went on to earn a bachelor’s degree in Africana Studies from Bowdoin College in 2014. While in college, he co-founded Students for Justice in Palestine and later worked on several progressive political campaigns in New York.

In 2019, Mamdani won a seat in the New York State Assembly from the 36th District, representing Astoria and Long Island City, where he focused on issues such as housing, transit affordability and immigrant rights, priorities that shaped his mayoral bid.

A practising Shia Muslim, Mamdani married Syrian artist Rama Duwaji earlier this year. Her illustrations have appeared in The New Yorker and The Washington Post.

The couple will move from their one-bedroom, rent-stabilised apartment in an outer borough to the official mayoral residence in Manhattan.

(With input from agencies)