Just a day after a heated mayoral debate in New York City, Democratic candidate Zohran Mamdani sparked controversy by sharing a photo with Imam Siraj Wahhaj, a figure linked to the 1993 World Trade Center bombing. This attack resulted in the deaths of six people and injured over a thousand. The photo, posted on social media, shows Mamdani smiling alongside Wahhaj at his mosque in Bedford-Stuyvesant.
In his post, Mamdani praised Wahhaj as a leading Muslim figure and a respected member of the local community for nearly fifty years. He referred to their meeting as a "beautiful Jummah," which is a Friday prayer gathering in Islam.
Wahhaj’s past is contentious. He was named an unindicted co-conspirator in the 1993 bombing that targeted the World Trade Center. Following the attack, he defended Omar Abdel Rahman, the radical cleric convicted for his role in the bombing. Reports indicate that after the bombing, Rahman encouraged further violence against targets in New York and New Jersey.
Wahhaj has made several provocative statements over the years. He has expressed a desire to organize a large group of Muslims in New York City and has made comments suggesting that violence could be justified in the name of faith. In a 1991 speech, he stated that those who struggle for Allah would be victorious, regardless of their weapons.
The photo and Mamdani’s association with Wahhaj drew sharp criticism from conservative figures. Florida Governor Ron DeSantis remarked that if someone had predicted a mayoral candidate would align with an unindicted co-conspirator of the World Trade Center bombing, they would have been dismissed as unrealistic. Senator Ted Cruz also criticized Mamdani, suggesting he was misleading the public about his connections. Former CBS correspondent Lara Logan expressed disbelief that any New Yorker who lived through 9/11 could support Mamdani.
The backlash highlights the ongoing tensions in American politics surrounding issues of terrorism, community leadership, and the legacy of past tragedies. As the mayoral race continues, Mamdani’s campaign will likely face intense scrutiny over this controversial association.
