NYC Mayor Zohran Mamdani Praised for Honoring Pashto in Inaugural Speech

New York City’s newly elected mayor, Zohran Mamdani, has received widespread appreciation from Pashtuns across the world after giving special recognition to the Pashto language during his inauguration address — a moment many are calling historic and deeply symbolic.

During his swearing-in ceremony, Mamdani spoke about New York’s unmatched cultural and linguistic diversity. While listing the many languages spoken across the city’s boroughs, he mentioned Pashto first, ahead of widely spoken languages such as Mandarin and Yiddish. The gesture quickly resonated with Pashtun communities in Pakistan, Afghanistan, and the global diaspora.

A Powerful Symbol of Inclusion

Pashto is spoken by more than 50 million people and is one of the major languages of Pakistan and Afghanistan. For Pashtuns, the language represents far more than daily communication — it is closely linked to identity, heritage, and resilience shaped by decades of political instability and conflict in the region.

Mamdani’s decision to highlight Pashto at such a high-profile global platform was seen as a rare acknowledgment of a community that has often felt overlooked on the world stage.

Social media platforms were flooded with messages praising the mayor’s words, with many users calling the moment “emotional,” “historic,” and “long overdue.”

First NYC Mayor Sworn in on the Holy Quran

Zohran Mamdani also made history by becoming the first mayor of New York City to take the oath of office on the Holy Quran.

According to reports, a private swearing-in ceremony was held at a disused subway station beneath Times Square, where Mamdani used two Qurans — one that belonged to his grandfather and another nearly 200-year-old copy borrowed from the New York Public Library.

For the public inauguration at City Hall, he again chose to use Qurans that once belonged to his grandparents, making the ceremony a deeply personal reflection of his faith and family roots.

A Message Beyond New York

Political analysts believe Mamdani’s inaugural choices send a broader message about representation, inclusion, and multicultural leadership in one of the world’s most diverse cities.

By honoring Pashto and embracing his cultural heritage, Mamdani has positioned himself as a leader aiming to represent all communities, regardless of language, religion, or background.

As reactions continue to pour in from across the globe, one thing is clear: Zohran Mamdani’s inauguration was not just a political event — it was a cultural statement that many will remember.

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