New York City Mayor-elect Zohran Mamdani is expected to use at least three different Qurans during his upcoming swearing-in ceremonies, a decision that underscores both the personal and historic nature of his ascent to the city’s highest office. The plan was confirmed by his senior adviser, Zara Rahim, who described the choice as deeply meaningful to Mamdani’s faith, family history, and vision for public service.
According to Rahim, Mamdani will participate in multiple oath-taking moments, including a formal public ceremony and a more intimate private one. Each will feature a different Quran, selected to reflect distinct chapters of his personal journey. While U.S. law does not require elected officials to swear in on any religious text at all, Mamdani’s decision highlights the symbolic power such moments can hold, particularly for leaders whose identities have historically been underrepresented in American politics.
Mamdani’s election has already been widely described as a milestone. As a Muslim, a progressive organizer, and the son of immigrants, his victory represents a generational and cultural shift in a city long defined by diversity but often led by more traditional political figures. The choice to use multiple Qurans during his inauguration is being viewed by supporters as an extension of that narrative—one that blends faith, pluralism, and civic duty.
“This is not about spectacle,” Rahim said. “It’s about grounding this moment in the values that shaped Zohran as a person and as a public servant.” She added that the Qurans selected include one tied to Mamdani’s family, another connected to his early religious education, and a third symbolizing his broader commitment to justice and community.
In American political tradition, the swearing-in ceremony is both constitutional and ceremonial. The Constitution requires only that officials take an oath to uphold it; the use of a Bible or other sacred text is customary but optional. Over the years, officials have chosen texts ranging from family Bibles to historic documents and, in some cases, no book at all. Mamdani’s use of the Quran places him within this broader tradition of personal expression, while also marking a relatively rare moment at the highest level of municipal leadership.
Reactions to the announcement have been swift and divided, reflecting the polarized climate surrounding religion and politics in the United States. Supporters have praised the decision as a powerful affirmation of religious freedom and inclusion in a city where millions of residents practice Islam. They argue that Mamdani’s inauguration reflects New York’s reality more accurately than any single tradition could.
“New York City is home to people of every faith and background,” said one community leader in Queens. “Seeing a mayor honor his own faith while pledging to serve everyone sends a strong message about belonging.”
Critics, however, have questioned whether emphasizing religious symbolism risks alienating some constituents. Conservative commentators on social media accused Mamdani of politicizing religion, while others raised concerns—echoing long-standing debates—about the role of faith in public office. Mamdani’s allies have pushed back strongly, noting that similar scrutiny is rarely applied when Christian officials swear in on Bibles.
Legal scholars emphasize that Mamdani’s choice is fully protected under the Constitution. “There is no legal issue here whatsoever,” said a professor of constitutional law. “The First Amendment guarantees both the free exercise of religion and prohibits any religious test for public office. This ceremony falls squarely within those protections.”
For Mamdani himself, the moment appears to be as much about responsibility as identity. In recent remarks, he has stressed that his faith informs his values—such as compassion, justice, and service—but does not dictate policy. “I was elected to represent every New Yorker,” he said during his transition period. “My oath is to the Constitution and to the people of this city.”
The use of multiple Qurans also reflects the layered nature of Mamdani’s political story. Rising from grassroots activism to citywide leadership, he built his campaign around affordability, housing justice, and public safety reform. His supporters see the inauguration as a continuation of that journey, blending personal authenticity with institutional responsibility.
Historians note that symbolic firsts often provoke intense reactions but tend to normalize over time. “Moments like this feel disruptive because they challenge assumptions about who leadership looks like,” one historian observed. “But they also expand the definition of American civic life.”
As inauguration day approaches, attention is likely to remain focused on the ceremony itself, even as Mamdani prepares to confront the substantial challenges of governing New York City. From budget pressures to public safety concerns and housing shortages, the policy agenda awaiting the mayor-elect is formidable.
Still, the symbolism of the swearing-in moment should not be underestimated. For many New Yorkers—particularly young people and members of marginalized communities—it represents recognition and possibility. For others, it raises questions about tradition and change in a rapidly evolving society.
In the end, Mamdani’s oath, regardless of the text beneath his hand, will bind him to the same constitutional duties as every mayor before him. Yet the decision to use multiple Qurans ensures that his inauguration will be remembered not only as a transfer of power, but as a reflection of the city’s diversity and the evolving face of American leadership.
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