For the first time in New York City's history, the city mayor will take the oath of office on the Quran. Zahran Mamdani, who won the elections, will officially assume his position on January 1, 2026. This was reported by the Associated Press.
It is noted that the majority of previous mayors took the oath on the Bible when assuming office. However, according to U.S. federal law, the use of a religious book during the swearing-in ceremony is not mandatory.
During his election campaign, Mamdani primarily focused on the high cost of living. He openly displayed his Muslim faith, visited mosques in the city's five boroughs, and mobilized South Asian and Muslim voters to actively participate.
According to the election results, in less than two months, the administration of a megacity with a budget of nearly $120 billion and a population of about 8.5 million will pass into the hands of a Muslim mayor.
According to U.S. media, former President Barack Obama called Mamdani and congratulated him on his victory.
For information, Zahran Mamdani, born in Uganda, cannot be a candidate for the U.S. presidency. He describes himself as a "democratic socialist" and advocates for initiatives such as establishing affordable grocery stores, freezing rents for certain housing, and eliminating bus fares.
According to the city election commission data, the number of voters who participated in these elections exceeded 2 million for the first time since 1969.
