Mayor Zoran Mamdani’s Controversial Meetings with Anti-Israel Imam
Mayor Zoran Mamdani has reportedly formed a connection with a controversial anti-Israel leader through multiple meetings in New York City. This comes as the Muslim cleric has openly endorsed Hamas’ violent October 7 assault on Israel, labeling it as a catalyst for “huge change” globally.
Since January 2025, Mamdani, who is a vocal critic of Israel, has met with Sheikh Hradel al-Sarani, imam of the Al-Khuei Islamic Center in Queens, on at least three occasions. Al-Sarani is noted for his troubling history of Holocaust denial, indicating that the Jewish death toll from the Holocaust was exaggerated.
The mayor organized a rally earlier this year, in February, to celebrate Ramadan at a mosque led by a Jamaican cleric. This event occurred shortly after al-Sahrani made commendable remarks regarding Hamas and its impact on Muslim communities, mere weeks following the devastating attacks.
Al-Sahrani, an Iraqi-born leader, stated, “One movement can bring about big change.” He justified Hamas’ violent actions as necessary resistance against “injustice,” claiming that their influence has significantly altered dynamics not only in the Arab-Islamic world but across the globe.
The imam criticized Congress for approving significant financial support to Israel, asserting that Israel was engaged in “genocide” and “war crimes” in Gaza.
He stressed that true and enduring change would only be realized if more Muslims occupied political positions, stating, “When we are wronged, we give ourselves permission to fight back.” His comments reflect frustration over the plight of Arabs and Palestinians, who he claims have endured years of oppression.
Mamdani, New York City’s first Muslim mayor, had met al-Sahrani three times prior to his election, including visits to the mosque in January and July. Their connection extended to fundraising activities that were reported in August 2025.
In February, shortly after taking office, Mamdani attended another Ramadan celebration, speaking from the same platform where al-Sahrani had previously made inflammatory comments. He remarked, “Being here feels like coming home,” as he greeted attendees with a smile during the event.
City Hall has not responded to requests for comments regarding the mayor’s meetings with al-Sahrani. Previous mayors, like Eric Adams and Michael Bloomberg, have attended events alongside similar controversial figures, but Mamdani’s recent engagements have drawn scrutiny particularly after the events of October 7. His strained relations with Jewish leaders further complicate the narrative.
Critics have targeted Mamdani for his positions, particularly his reluctance to condemn inflammatory statements, such as calls to “Globalize the Intifada,” which incite violence against Jews. A spokesperson for Mamdani stated that the mayor disagrees with al-Sahrani’s views on the Holocaust and Hamas, asserting that his visits to various religious sites should not be interpreted as endorsements of controversial opinions.
Mamdani’s wife, First Lady Rama Duwaj, has also faced backlash for her social media behavior, which included praising Palestinian militants and perpetuating negative sentiments towards Israel. Although she apologized for any “hurt” caused by her posts, she did not specifically retract any offensive statements.
The mayor stirred more controversy recently by acknowledging “Nakba Day,” which Palestinians refer to as the catastrophe resulting from Israel’s founding in 1948.
