Mayor Zohran Mamdani has reportedly solid a bond with a radical anti-Israel sheikh, assembly with him a number of occasions within the Huge Apple – regardless of the Muslim cleric publicly lauding Hamas’ horrific Oct. 7 assault on Israel for uplifting “nice change” for the world.
Mamdani, a staunch critic of Israel, has met with Sheikh Fradhel Al-Sahlani, imam of the Al-Khoei Islamic Heart in Queens — who additionally has a disturbing document of denying the Holocaust — at the least 3 times since January 2025, in response to the Washington Free Beacon.
The meetups — the mayor’s newest in February when he celebrated Ramadan on the cleric’s Jamaica mosque — got here after Al-Sahlani praised Hamas for making a “massive distinction” for Muslims simply weeks following the Oct. 7, 2023, bloodbath.
“One motion could make an ideal change,” the sheikh, an Iraqi native, hailed in a Nov. 3, 2023, sermon, during which he justified the phobia group’s heinous assault on the Jewish state as a combat in opposition to “injustice.”
“What we’re witnessing is the one motion, Hamas, has made an enormous distinction not just for the Arab Muslim world, however the entire world. In line with anyone who has a way, who has a spirit of freedom of the individuals, whoever has that, will be taught that Palestinians are those who are suffering injustice.”
He went on to slam Congress for approving a $14.3 billion assist bundle backing Israel’s marketing campaign in opposition to Hamas, accusing the Jewish state of committing a “genocide” and “battle crimes” in Gaza.
Al-Sahlani later argued that actual, lasting change would solely come as soon as extra Muslims are elected to political workplace.
“When we’ve got been dealt an injustice, we’re giving permission to combat again,” he stated, fuming that Arabs and Palestinians have lived in an “open jail” in Israel for over 70 years.
“Now we’ve got to face with those that have suffered injustice. We can’t make that change until we’re concerned closely within the political system in the US, then possibly we will make a bit of little bit of change.”
Mamdani — New York Metropolis’s first Muslim mayor — met with Al-Sahlani 3 times in 2025 earlier than being elected, together with two visits to the sheikh’s mosque in January and July, movies confirmed.
The pair additionally met throughout an August 2025 fundraiser on Lengthy Island, the Free Beacon reported.
The 34-year-old democratic socialist most not too long ago trekked to Queens to mark Ramadan in February — a month after he took workplace — and addressed attendees on the similar podium the place Al-Sahlani hurled his vile remarks.
“It seems like returning house to be right here,” Hizzoner informed the group.
Images from the occasion additionally confirmed Mamdani grinning broadly as he shook Al-Sahlani’s hand.
Metropolis Corridor didn’t instantly reply to The Put up’s request for remark.
Earlier Huge Apple mayors, together with Eric Adams and Michael Bloomberg, have been photographed attending occasions with the sheikh; nevertheless, Mamdani’s efforts to forge a relationship with the controversial cleric come within the wake of the Oct. 7 assault — and regardless of his strained relationship with Jewish leaders.
He has been closely criticized for controversial feedback and stances, together with outspoken criticism of Israel. Critics have expressed concern over the mayor’s refusal to sentence the “globalize the intifada” rallying cry for violence in opposition to Jewish individuals.
In an announcement to the Free Beacon, Mamdani spokesman Sam Raskin insisted that the mayor rejects Al-Sahlani’s disturbing views on the Holocaust and Hamas.
“Sheikh Fadhel Al-Sahlani’s Holocaust denial and feedback about Hamas are diametrically against the mayor’s values and every part he has stated and stood for,” he informed the outlet.
“Like many elected officers, the mayor has visited many homes of worship and spiritual establishments throughout New York Metropolis. No go to ought to ever be construed as an endorsement of each assertion made by each particular person affiliated with these establishments.”
Mamdani’s spouse, First Woman Rama Duwaji, has additionally come underneath fireplace for social media posts praising Palestinian terrorists, bashing Israel, and reportedly as soon as liking posts celebrating the Oct. 7, 2023, terrorist bloodbath in Israel.
Mamdani defended his spouse, and he or she apologized in April for the “harm” attributable to alarming social media posts — although she didn’t immediately specific remorse for the Israel-bashing content material.
The mayor ignited fury final week for paying tribute to “Nakba Day” — a day Palestinians name the “disaster” of Israel’s declaration of independence on Might 14, 1948.
