PICS: Tieless Khan Sworn In At ‘Multi Faith Ceremony’ At Southwark Cathedral

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London (AFP) – Sadiq Khan was sworn in as London mayor Saturday after being elected the first Muslim leader of a major Western capital, as the Conservatives defended attempts to link him to extremism during the campaign.

The opposition Labour lawmaker, the son of a Pakistani bus driver, broke from convention by taking his oath of office in a multi-faith ceremony at Southwark Cathedral.

LONDON, ENGLAND - MAY 07:  Sir Ian McKellen greets the newly elected Mayor of London Sadiq Khan ahead of his signing ceremony Southwark Cathedral on May 7, 2016 in London, England.  Khan, the Labour MP for Tooting, will be sworn in as Mayor of London at a multi-faith service at Southwark Cathedral today. After months of campaigning Mr Khan won the London mayoral race with 56.8 percent of the vote beating Conservative Party candidate Zac Goldsmith into second place.  (Photo by John Stillwell - WPA Pool /Getty Images)

Sir Ian McKellen bows down to Khan (Photo by John Stillwell – WPA Pool /Getty Images)

Britain's incoming London Mayor Sadiq Khan (2R), gestures during his swearing-in ceremony at Southwark Cathedral in cental London on May 7, 2016. London's new mayor Sadiq Khan thanked voters for choosing "unity over division" as he was elected Saturday, becoming the first Muslim leader of a major Western capital. / AFP / POOL / Yui Mok        (Photo credit should read YUI MOK/AFP/Getty Images)

(YUI MOK/AFP/Getty Images)

LONDON, ENGLAND - MAY 07:  Sadiq Khan attends an official signing ceremony at Southwark Cathedral as he begins his first day as newly elected Mayor of London on May 7, 2016 in London, England.  Khan, the Labour MP for Tooting, will be sworn in as Mayor of London at a multi-faith service at Southwark Cathedral today. After months of campaigning Mr Khan won the London mayoral race with 56.8 percent of the vote beating Conservative Party candidate Zac Goldsmith into second place.  (Photo by Yui Mok - WPA Pool /Getty Images)

LONDON, ENGLAND – MAY 07: Sadiq Khan attends an official signing ceremony at Southwark Cathedral 

LONDON, ENGLAND - MAY 07:  Newly elected Mayor of London Sadiq Khan after his signing ceremony Southwark Cathedral on May 7, 2016 in London, England.  Khan, the Labour MP for Tooting, will be sworn in as Mayor of London at a multi-faith service at Southwark Cathedral today. After months of campaigning Mr Khan won the London mayoral race with 56.8 percent of the vote beating Conservative Party candidate Zac Goldsmith into second place.  (Photo by John Stillwell - WPA Pool /Getty Images)

Khan smiles for the camera (Photo by John Stillwell – WPA Pool /Getty Images)

Britain's incoming London Mayor Sadiq Khan (L) sits with his wife Saadiya (2L), during his swearing-in ceremony at Southwark Cathedral in cental London on May 7, 2016. London's new mayor Sadiq Khan thanked voters for choosing "unity over division" as he was elected Saturday, becoming the first Muslim leader of a major Western capital. / AFP / POOL / Yui Mok        (Photo credit should read YUI MOK/AFP/Getty Images)

Khan’s family in the front row. Tieless and hijab-wearing, one clutches a baseball cap (YUI MOK/AFP/Getty Images)

Britain's incoming London Mayor Sadiq Khan (R) is greeted by Doreen Lawrence during his swearing-in ceremony at Southwark Cathedral in cental London on May 7, 2016. London's new mayor Sadiq Khan thanked voters for choosing "unity over division" as he was elected Saturday, becoming the first Muslim leader of a major Western capital. / AFP / POOL / Yui Mok        (Photo credit should read YUI MOK/AFP/Getty Images)

Britain’s incoming London Mayor Sadiq Khan (R) is greeted by Doreen Lawrence (YUI MOK/AFP/Getty Images)

LONDON, ENGLAND - MAY 07:  Sadiq Khan attends an official ceremony at Southwark Cathedral as he begins his first day as newly elected Mayor of London on May 7, 2016 in London, England.  Khan, the Labour MP for Tooting, will be sworn in as Mayor of London at a multi-faith service at Southwark Cathedral today. After months of campaigning Mr Khan won the London mayoral race with 56.8 percent of the vote beating Conservative Party candidate Zac Goldsmith into second place.  (Photo by Yui Mok - WPA Pool /Getty Images)

Khan looks skyward (Yui Mok – WPA Pool /Getty Images)

Britain's incoming London Mayor Sadiq Khan (2R), walks along side the Dean of Southwark Cathedral, The Very Reverend Andrew Nunn (R), during his swearing-in ceremony at Southwark Cathedral in cental London on May 7, 2016. London's new mayor Sadiq Khan thanked voters for choosing "unity over division" as he was elected Saturday, becoming the first Muslim leader of a major Western capital. / AFP / POOL / Yui Mok        (Photo credit should read YUI MOK/AFP/Getty Images)

Khan greets some children (YUI MOK/AFP/Getty Images)

“My name is Sadiq Khan and I’m the mayor of London,” the 45-year-old said to cheers from supporters, who had earlier given him a standing ovation as he walked in.

He added: “I’m determined to lead the most transparent, engaged and accessible administration London has ever seen, and to represent every single community, and every single part of our city, as mayor for all Londoners.”

Khan won 57 percent of the vote in Thursday’s mayoral election, securing 1.3 million votes to see off multimillionaire Conservative Zac Goldsmith and make history as the city’s first Muslim mayor.

(Yui Mok - WPA Pool /Getty Images)

(Yui Mok – WPA Pool /Getty Images)

In his victory speech in the early hours of Saturday morning, Khan had referenced the negative campaign against him by saying London had chosen “unity over division”.

(Yui Mok - WPA Pool /Getty Images)

(Yui Mok – WPA Pool /Getty Images)

Conservative Prime Minister David Cameron had led the attacks against Khan for sharing platforms with radical Muslims at public events, and Goldsmith said he was “radical and divisive”.

(Yui Mok - WPA Pool /Getty Images)

(Yui Mok – WPA Pool /Getty Images)

Former Labour leader Ed Miliband (left) with Metropolitan Police Commissioner Sir Bernard Hogan-Howe (Yui Mok - WPA Pool /Getty Images)

Former Labour leader Ed Miliband (left) with Metropolitan Police Commissioner Sir Bernard Hogan-Howe (Yui Mok – WPA Pool /Getty Images)

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