NEW YORK (AP) — Incoming Mayor Zohran Mamdani will take his midnight oath of office on a centuries-old Quran, marking the first time a mayor of New York City has used Islam’s holy text to be sworn in. This noteworthy event underscores a series of historic firsts for the city.
Upon becoming mayor in a long-closed subway station beneath City Hall, the 34-year-old Democrat will make history as the first Muslim, first South Asian, and first African-born individual to hold the position.
These milestones, together with the historical Quran he will use for the ceremony, highlight the longstanding and vibrant Muslim community in the nation’s most populous city. This sentiment is echoed by a scholar who assisted Mamdani’s wife, Rama Duwaji, in selecting significant books for the event.
Traditionally, most of Mamdani’s predecessors have been sworn in on a Bible, though the oath to uphold constitutions at federal, state, and city levels does not mandate the use of any specific religious text.
Mamdani has focused heavily on issues of affordability during his campaign and has been open about his Muslim faith, often engaging with mosques across the five boroughs to build support amongst first-time South Asian and Muslim voters.
A closer look at the Qurans used by Mamdani
During the subway ceremony, Mamdani will place his hand on two Qurans: his grandfather’s Quran and a pocket-sized version from the late 18th or early 19th century, which belongs to the New York Public Library’s Schomburg Center for Research in Black Culture.
This particular copy of the Quran represents the diversity and influence of the city’s Muslim population, according to Hiba Abid, the library’s curator for Middle Eastern and Islamic Studies. “It’s a small Quran, but it encompasses elements of faith and identity in the context of New York City history,” Abid affirms.
For a follow-up swearing-in ceremony at City Hall on the first day of the year, Mamdani will utilize both his grandfather’s and grandmother’s Qurans.
The journey of one Quran
The Quran manuscript was formerly owned by Arturo Schomburg, a Black Puerto Rican historian known for documenting the global contributions from people of African descent. Although the specifics of Schomburg obtaining the Quran are unknown, it likely reflects his academic pursuits regarding the ties between Islam and African and Black cultures in America.
Unlike ornate manuscripts typically associated with elites, the Quran Mamdani will use is simple in design, featuring a pragmatic design aimed at everyday readability. Abid explains that the manuscript's importance lies in its accessibility rather than luxury.
Undated and unsigned, scholars have estimated the manuscript's production to place it in the Ottoman period throughout regions that include parts of present-day Syria, Lebanon, Israel, and Jordan.
Abid draws connections between the Quran’s journey and Mamdani’s own diverse heritage, noting he is a South Asian New Yorker born in Uganda while his wife is American-Syrian.
Identity amidst controversy
The rapid rise of a Muslim democratic socialist has ignited a wave of Islamophobic sentiments throughout the election cycle, amplifying national discussions surrounding the race. In an emotional speech just days before the election, Mamdani noted that the backlash had only reinforced his commitment to being openly proud of his faith.
Mamdani stated, “I will not change who I am, how I eat, or the faith that I’m proud to call my own,” emphasizing his resolve to embrace his identity.
His decision to use a Quran for the oath has spurred criticism from some conservative figures, including U.S. Senator Tommy Tuberville from Alabama, who remarked on social media about internal threats stemming from Mamdani’s inauguration. The Council on American-Islamic Relations labeled Tuberville an anti-Muslim extremist based on prior remarks.
This backlash is reminiscent of earlier incidents; for instance, in 2006, Keith Ellison, the first Muslim elected to Congress, faced similar condemnation for opting to use a Quran during his ceremonial oath.
Following the inauguration, the manuscript will be displayed publicly at the New York Public Library, where Abid hopes the spotlight on the ceremony, regardless of whether it garners support or criticism, will encourage more individuals to delve into the library’s collections that document Islamic life in New York.
Abid concludes by reflecting on the Quran's original purpose: “This manuscript was intended for ordinary readers, and now it finds a home in a public library where anyone can encounter it.”
