NEW YORK (AP) — Mayor Zohran Mamdani will have a ceremonial swearing-in on New Year’s Day, celebrating the start of his term with an event and block party.
Mamdani’s ceremonial swearing-in is scheduled to begin at 1 p.m. EST. Watch live in the player above.
Mamdani took his midnight oath of office on a centuries-old Quran, marking the first time a mayor of New York City uses Islam’s holy text to be sworn in and underscoring a series of historic firsts for the city.
The 34-year-old Democrat became mayor in a long-closed subway station beneath City Hall, the first Muslim, first South Asian and first African-born person to hold that position.
These milestones — as well as the historical Quran — reflect the longstanding and vibrant Muslim residents of the nation’s most populous city, according to a scholar who helped Mamdani’s wife, Rama Duwaji, select one of the books.
Most of Mamdani’s predecessors were sworn in on a Bible, although the oath to uphold the federal, state and city constitutions does not require the use of any religious text.
And while he has focused heavily on the issue of affordability during his campaign, Mamdani was outspoken about his Muslim faith. He frequently appeared at mosques across the five boroughs as he built a base of support that included many first-time South Asian and Muslim voters.
READ MORE: Zohran Mamdani officially sworn in as New York City’s mayor on a Quran full of symbolism
This story will be updated.
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