British News Agency

The 34-year-old Mamdani, who was almost unknown as a state assembly member just a year ago, is a democratic socialist, the city’s first Muslim mayor, the first mayor of South Asian descent, and the first mayor born in Africa. He is also the first mayor to take the oath of office using the Quran.

Speaking on his first day as mayor, Zohran Mamdani promised a “new era” for America’s largest city and an ambitious start to his term, pledging to “reinvent” New York City.

Mamdani said he had been advised to lower expectations while drafting the speech, but he rejected that advice: “I’m not going to do that. The only expectations I want to change are low expectations. Starting today, we will govern broadly and boldly. We may not always succeed, but we will never be accused of lacking the courage to try.”

Hours after the ceremony, Mamdani rescinded all executive orders issued by former mayor Adams after Adams was tried on federal corruption charges on September 26, 2024.

Among the rescinded orders was a directive issued last month that prohibited mayoral appointees and staff from “boycotting Israel, blocking investment in Israel, and restricting New Yorkers’ freedom of religion from harassment in places of worship.”

Mamdani’s office said the move was made “to provide a fresh start for the new administration and to reissue executive orders that leadership believes are central to delivering continuous service, excellence, and values-driven leadership.”

Mamdani later said he plans to reissue some orders, including the Office to Combat Antisemitism established by Adams in May of last year.

This was the second part of a two-part ceremony held after Mamdani’s swearing-in on Thursday night at an unused subway station. He was accompanied by New York Attorney General Letitia James and his wife, 28-year-old animator and illustrator Rama Duwaji.