As the clock struck midnight on January 1, 2026, the newly elected Mayor Mamdani officially took office as the Mayor of New York City, becoming the new leader of this city with a population of 8.5 million. He made history by becoming the first New York City Mayor to use the Quran in his inauguration ceremony, making him the first Muslim mayor in the history of the city.
Mamdani planned to hold two inauguration ceremonies on January 1: a small private ceremony with his family at the deactivated “Old City Hall” subway station in Manhattan at midnight, and a large public swearing-in ceremony and street celebration in front of City Hall in the afternoon.
During the inauguration, Mamdani will use at least three copies of the Quran, including one from his grandfather’s collection and one that belonged to the renowned African-American writer and historian Arturo Schomburg, lent by the New York Public Library. The small midnight ceremony will feature the use of these two religious texts, while for the public swearing-in during the day, he will again use his grandfather’s Quran, along with at least one family-owned version.
The midnight swearing-in will be presided over by New York State Attorney General Janice Longshaw, while the afternoon public ceremony will be led by Vermont Senator Bernie Sanders, both important political allies of Mamdani.
New York state law stipulates that the mayor’s four-year term officially begins on January 1 of the year following the election. To ensure a clear transfer of power, it has been a tradition for outgoing mayors to hold symbolic swearing-in ceremonies at midnight. Current Mayor Adams completed his oath after the Times Square crystal ball dropped, while his predecessor, Mayor Whitehouse, held his first inauguration ceremony at his home in Brooklyn.
The Old City Hall subway station chosen by Mamdani is a significant symbol of New York’s early subway system, known for its arched tile work and tall vaulted ceilings. Since its deactivation in 1945, it has only been open to the public on rare historical tours. His transition team stated that selecting this location symbolizes his appreciation for the “working-class laborers and public servants who support the city’s operations daily.”
Despite being a member of the Democratic Socialists of America (DSA), Mamdani did not shy away from discussing his religious beliefs during the campaign. He has stated that one of his political ideals is to advocate for all New Yorkers to not be discriminated against based on their religion or background.
The afternoon public inauguration ceremony is expected to take place on the steps and plaza of City Hall, with approximately 4,000 guests in attendance. The public can also watch the event through viewing areas along Broadway or via online live streaming.
According to official records, Mamdani raised approximately $2.6 million for the transition and inauguration activities, from nearly 30,000 donors, setting a new fundraising record for New York City mayoral inaugurations in the 21st century. After taking office, he will move from his rent-stabilized apartment in Astoria to the Mayor’s official residence, Gracie Mansion, in the Upper East Side of Manhattan.
Political analysts believe that Mamdani’s inauguration not only signifies a shift in political generations and representativeness of ethnic groups but also reflects the diverse religious and cultural coexistence in the city of New York. With the unveiling of the “New Year, New Mayor,” his governing direction and reform commitments are drawing significant attention from the city and the nation as a whole.