NEW YORK CITY, New York: Zohran Mamdani took his midnight oath of office on a centuries-old Quran, making him the first New York City mayor to do so.

The 34-year-old Democrat took the oath in a long-closed subway station beneath City Hall, the first Muslim, first South Asian, and first African-born person to hold that position.

These milestones reflect the longstanding and vibrant Muslim residents of the nation's most populous city, according to a scholar who helped Mamdani's wife, Rama Duwaji, select one of the books.

Most of Mamdani's predecessors were sworn in on a Bible, although such an oath does not require the use of any religious text.

And while he has focused heavily on affordability during his campaign, Mamdani was outspoken about his Muslim faith. He appeared at mosques across the five boroughs frequently, seeking the support of many first-time South Asian and Muslim voters.

Two Qurans Chosen for Ceremony

Two Qurans were chosen for the subway ceremony: one that belonged to Mamdani's grandfather and a small, pocket-sized Quran dating to the late 18th or early 19th century. The older Quran is part of the New York Public Library's Schomburg Center for Research in Black Culture.

Hiba Abid, the library's curator for Middle Eastern and Islamic Studies, said the manuscript reflects the diversity and reach of New York City's Muslim community. Though small, she said, it brings together faith and identity in the city's history.

For a later swearing-in ceremony at City Hall on New Year's Day, Mamdani plans to use both his grandfather's and grandmother's Qurans. His campaign has not shared further details about the family heirlooms.

The historic Quran was acquired by Arturo Schomburg, a Black Puerto Rican historian whose collection highlighted the global contributions of people of African descent. While it is unclear how he obtained the manuscript, scholars believe it reflects his interest in the connections between Islam and Black cultures in the United States and Africa.

Unlike ornate religious texts linked to royalty or elites, this Quran is simple in appearance. It has a deep red cover with a modest floral design and is written in black and red ink. The plain, clear script suggests it was made for everyday reading rather than ceremonial use.

Abid said these features show the manuscript was meant for ordinary readers, which she described as central to its significance. "Its importance is not in luxury, but in accessibility," she said.

Because the Quran is undated and unsigned, scholars estimated its age based on its binding and script, placing it in the late 18th or early 19th century during the Ottoman period in a region that includes present-day Syria, Lebanon, Israel, the Palestinian territories, and Jordan.

Abid said the manuscript's journey to New York reflects Mamdani's own layered background. Mamdani is a South Asian New Yorker born in Uganda, while Duwaji is American-Syrian.

Mamdani's rapid rise as a Muslim democratic socialist has also sparked a wave of Islamophobic rhetoric, intensified by national attention on the race.

Mamdani said in a campaign speech that the hostility against him had strengthened his resolve to be open about his faith. He said he would not change who he is, how he eats, or the faith he is proud of, and that he would no longer hide but live openly.

The decision to use a Quran has drawn criticism from some conservatives. Senator Tommy Tuberville of Alabama posted "The enemy is inside the gates" on social media in response to an article about Mamdani's inauguration.