Concerns Raised Over Zoran Mamdani’s Ties to Imam Siraj Wahaj

Muslims are expressing strong disapproval of Zoran Mamdani’s association with Imam Siraj Wahaj, emphasizing that this relationship might legitimize a figure previously linked to terrorism.

Dalia Giada, an Islamic scholar at the Global Antisemitism and Policy Institute, voiced her worries. “I’m particularly uneasy about mosques being used for political purposes in a nation like the U.S. that values democracy,” she noted.

She continued, “By backing Wahaj, Mamdani seems to be marginalizing moderate Muslims and giving a platform to an extremist perspective that has already caused significant harm in the past.”

Mamdani, a 34-year-old Democratic Socialist and a prominent New York City mayoral candidate, sparked debate when he posted a photo with Wahaj, who at 75 has a controversial past, including being labeled an “unindicted co-conspirator” in the 1993 World Trade Center bombings. Despite this, Mamdani praised the imam as “a vital leader in Islam for nearly fifty years.”

Giada further highlighted that Mamdani’s support for Wahaj could worsen the stereotypes faced by Muslims after past attacks, making it harder for those who advocate against extremism. “It sends the wrong message to moderate Muslims trying to distinguish between faith and extremism,” she said. “We need to remember what extremist ideologies did to our city.”

Wahaj’s connections to the 1993 terror attack raise flags; some of its ringleaders were associated with his mosque. Though he was never charged and maintains his innocence, his past rhetoric—like his calls for Muslims to infiltrate American democracy—raises eyebrows.

His son is currently serving a life sentence for serious crimes, adding another layer of complexity to his family’s narrative. While Wahaj claims he denounces violence, many in the Muslim community remain worried, especially with Mamdani’s support of a controversial figure.

“I remember feeling shocked the first time I heard Wahaj speak,” shared Soraya Deen, founder of the Islamic Women Speakers Movement. “His calls for violence against America are alarming.”

Deen noted the absence of women in the photo Mamdani shared from Wahaj’s mosque, pointing to a larger issue of gender rights within Islam. “In a world where women are often oppressed, Mamdani’s choice to pose with Wahaj seems troubling,” she stated. “It raises questions about who he’s really supporting.”

She concluded, “A man encouraging hatred, when accompanied by Mamdani—who labels him a leading voice in Islam—is concerning for both Americans and Muslims alike.”