Funding Links of Zohran Mamdani’s Mother
Film director Mira Nair, who is the mother of Democratic New York City mayoral candidate Zohran Mamdani, reportedly received substantial funding from groups with long-standing ties over the past decade, according to a report by the New York Post.
These funds are said to come from cultural institutions funded by Qatar. Notably, projects like Nair’s film “The Reluctant Funderalist,” which had a budget of $15 million, were fully financed by the Doha Film Institute. Established by Sheikha Al Mayassa bint Hamad Al Thani, sister of Qatar’s ruling chief, this institute has been involved in training programs linked to Nair from 2010 to 2014.
In the years 2022 and 2023, Nair’s company conducted operations worth $102,000 with Qatari firms. The Qatar National Museum commissioned a film titled “Nafa,” which focuses on pearl diving and premiered at the museum in 2019, where Nair was present. Additionally, a lavish stage version of her film “Monsoon Wedding” was produced for the 2022 World Cup festival.
Nair mentioned in an interview that, “Her Highness Sheika Al Mayassa bint Hamad Al Thani loves the film and has supported this musical’s launch over several years.”
Meanwhile, Nair has also faced criticism for her stance, having previously boycotted the Haifa International Film Festival due to Israeli policies. The 2023 State Department notes that Qatar places restrictions on how non-Muslims practice their faith. An expert from the American Enterprise Institute commented on Qatar’s approach, suggesting that they “buy people who are willing to be bought.”
Jonathan Shanzer from the Democracy Foundation remarked on the close connections between Qatar’s ruling elite and U.S. politicians, indicating potential influence in high-profile positions, including the mayor’s office in New York.
Sheikha Al-Thani is known to be supporting Mamdani’s campaign on social media, as reported.
When contacted about these funding ties, Mamdani’s campaign expressed that it was unfortunate to weaponize his mother’s career against him, emphasizing that voters should focus on real issues instead of distractions.
