Zohran Mamdani sworn in as New York City’s First Shia Muslim mayor

Zohran Mamdani sworn in as New York City’s First Shia Muslim mayor
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Zohran Mamdani was sworn in as mayor of New York City just after midnight on Thursday, becoming the first Shia Muslim mayor and the youngest person in generations to lead the United States’ largest city, Al Jazeera reported.

The Democrat took the oath of office at the decommissioned City Hall subway station in Manhattan, one of the city’s original subway stops, known for its arched ceilings and historic design. New York Attorney General Letitia James administered the oath as Mamdani placed his hand on a Quran. His wife, Rama Duwaji, was present at the ceremony.

At 34, Mamdani becomes one of the youngest mayors in the city’s history. In addition to being the first Muslim mayor, he is also the first mayor of South Asian descent and the first to have been born in Africa.

Mamdani now assumes one of the most demanding roles in US municipal politics, leading a city of more than eight million people and overseeing services ranging from public transportation and sanitation to housing and infrastructure.

During his campaign, Mamdani focused heavily on affordability, a central concern for many New Yorkers amid rising living costs. His platform included proposals such as free childcare, fare-free buses, a rent freeze affecting about one million households, and a pilot program for city-run grocery stores.

At the same time, he faces the routine challenges of city governance, including managing public safety, addressing subway delays, and responding to everyday quality-of-life issues.

Mamdani was born in Kampala, Uganda, to filmmaker Mira Nair and academic Mahmood Mamdani. He moved to New York City with his family at the age of seven and became a US citizen in 2018.