NEW YORK, January 1, 2024 – In a history-making moment for New York City, incoming Mayor Zohran Mamdani will take the oath of office at midnight on a centuries-old Quran, marking the first time the city’s chief executive has used Islam’s holy book for the ceremony. It’s a symbolic gesture that underscores a series of firsts for the Democrat as he prepares to led the nation’s most populous city.
A First for New York: A Muslim Mayor Sworn on the Quran
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The incoming mayor will be the first Muslim, South Asian, and African-born person to hold the office.
- Mamdani, 34, will be sworn in at a long-closed subway station beneath City Hall.
- He will use two Qurans during the ceremony: his grandfather’s and a rare manuscript from the New York Public Library.
- The decision to use a Quran has drawn both support and criticism, reflecting the heightened scrutiny surrounding his historic election.
- Mamdani frequently highlighted his Muslim faith during his campaign, connecting with voters across the five boroughs.
When mamdani assumes office, he’ll shatter several barriers. He will be the first Muslim, first South Asian, and first African-born person to serve as mayor of New York City. The choice of a Quran for the swearing-in ceremony, rather than the traditionally used Bible, is a powerful statement about the city’s evolving demographics and increasing religious diversity.
Q: Why is Zohran Mamdani’s inauguration significant?
A: The use of the Quran symbolizes the city’s growing religious diversity and represents a historic moment for Muslim representation in New York City leadership.
the Qurans: A Symbol of Faith and History
mamdani will place his hand on two Qurans during the ceremony. One is a cherished family heirloom – his grandfather’s Quran. The other is a pocket-sized manuscript dating back to the late 18th or early 19th century, currently held in the collection 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, explained the significance of the historical Quran. “It’s a small Quran, but it brings together elements of faith and identity in New York City history,” she said. For a subsequent,more formal swearing-in ceremony at City Hall on January 1,Mamdani will also use his grandmother’s Quran,though details about those heirlooms remain private.
A Journey Through Time: The Schomburg Center’s Manuscript
The Quran from the Schomburg Center has a compelling history of its own. It was acquired by Arturo schomburg, a Black Puerto Rican historian dedicated to documenting the global contributions of people of African descent. While the exact origins of the manuscript within Schomburg’s collection are unclear,scholars believe it reflects his interest in the historical connections between Islam and Black cultures in the United States and Africa.
Unlike lavishly decorated religious texts often associated with royalty, this Quran is remarkably modest in its design. It features a deep red binding with a simple floral medallion and is written in black and red ink with a clear, readable script. this suggests it was intended for everyday use, rather than ceremonial display.”The importance of this Quran lies not in luxury, but in accessibility,” Abid emphasized.
Scholars estimate the manuscript was produced during the Ottoman period, sometime between the
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