Zohran Mamdani officially assumed office as the mayor of New York City just after midnight on Thursday, marking a historical moment for the people of the United States. The mayor of the Democratic Party was sworn into office at the decommissioned City Hall Subway Station in the borough of Manhattan. As the mayor swore the oath of office, Mamdani held the Quran with his left hand.
The ceremony took place at City Hall subway station in Manhattan, one of New York's original subway stations and is famous for its elaborate arches, Associated Press reported.
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‘Honour and privilege of a lifetime’
Addressing those present, Mamdani said, "This is truly the honour and the privilege of a lifetime." In his first remark as mayor, he reflected on the symbolism of the venue, calling the station a "testament to the importance of public transit to the vitality, the health and the legacy of the city."
During the ceremony, Mamdani also announced his first major appointment, naming Mike Flynn to the position of Commissioner of the Department of Transportation.
Public swearing-in and celebrations planned
As per multiple reports, in addition to the midnight oath, Mamdani will take his oath again later time of the day in a bigger ceremony at City Hall at 1 pm. His oath will be administered by US Senator Bernie Sanders, who happens to be one of his inspirations, as he described. The event will be followed later by a block party in honour of the event along Broadway's “Canyon of Heroes”.
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Mamdani has made history in several ways. In addition to being the first Muslim mayor in the history of New York, he is the first mayor of South Asian origin in the history of New York and the first mayor of the city to have been born on the African continent. His election campaign centred on "affordability" and the promise of "transformative change in the cost of living" for the residents of New York, and provide free childcare, free transportation in buses, and a rent freeze for close to a million households.
Reportedly, over the next few days, Mamdani, together with his wife, Rama Duwaji, will be relocating from a one-bedroom apartment to the mayoral residence in Manhattan.
