A historic moment is coming to New York City — 34-year-old Zohran Mamdani will be sworn in at midnight on January 1, 2026, becoming the first Muslim mayor in the city's 400-year history. His unique immigrant background, radical-left policy proposals, and fierce opposition to the Trump administration have become the focus of global attention today.
As the first Muslim mayor of New York City, Zohran Mamdani will take office at midnight on January 1, 2026, and he will also be the first mayor in the city's history to take the oath of office with the Quran.
Mamdani's spokesperson said that at the private and public swearing-in ceremony held on Thursday, he will use at least three different versions of the Quran to complete his inauguration oath.
Mamdani's inauguration has set three historical records:
First Muslim Mayor: A Shia Muslim (Twelver Imam) of Indian descent, whose parents are immigrants from Uganda;
First Indian-American Mayor: Breaking the tradition of white elite politics in New York;
Youngest Mayor in 133 Years: 34 years old when elected, a millennial politician.
Notably, the four core policies emphasized in today's inaugural speech include:
Economic Redistribution:
Taxing the Rich: Taxing the top 1% of income earners to raise $20 billion, used for free public universities and universal childcare services;
Doubling the Minimum Wage: Raising the hourly wage to $30 by 2030 (currently about $15);
Housing Reform: Freezing rents, expanding public housing, and establishing a Social Housing Development Agency;
Reorganizing Public Resources: Eliminating tax exemptions for prestigious universities like Columbia University, subsidizing the public education system; implementing free public transportation;
Diplomatic Stance: Supporting Palestine, referring to Israel's Gaza operation as "genocide," and threatening to arrest Israeli Prime Minister Netanyahu.
Mamdani's inauguration as mayor of New York City is a setback for Trump's "MAGA" (Make America Great Again).
Original: toutiao.com/article/1853060794215424/
Statement: This article represents the personal views of the author.