KABUL: Zahran Mamdani, a 34-year-old Democratic politician, took his oath of office as the first Muslim mayor of New York City while placing his hand on a historic copy of the Quran. The ceremony took place in an old subway station in Manhattan, beneath New York City Hall, a choice that, according to the mayor’s office, symbolizes his connection to the everyday lives and challenges of working-class citizens. Mamdani is set to use two copies of the Quran belonging to his grandparents during an official swearing-in ceremony scheduled for Friday at City Hall. The new mayor identifies as a socialist and has stated that his top priority is to reduce the cost of living in a city of over 8.5 million residents. He has promised to stabilize rents for more than one million housing units, a commitment that has sparked widespread reactions. Mamdani is also known as a vocal critic of Donald Trump’s policies and has previously taken strong stances against him. Many in New York are now eagerly watching to see if this young and different figure can fulfill his promises in one of the world’s most expensive cities.
