New York City mayoral candidate Zohran Mamdani is facing renewed criticism after sharing a photo from a recent visit to Masjid At-Taqwa in Brooklyn, where he met with Imam Siraj Wahhaj and Harlem Councilmember Yusef Salaam.
The image, which Mamdani posted online and described as a “beautiful Jummah,” has drawn attention due to Wahhaj’s controversial history and past associations.
Today at Masjid At-Taqwa, I had the pleasure of meeting with Imam Siraj Wahhaj, one of the nation’s foremost Muslim leaders and a pillar of the Bed-Stuy community for nearly half a century. I was also joined by CM @dr_yusefsalaam of Harlem. A beautiful Jummah. pic.twitter.com/4kcN4CGlUk
— Zohran Kwame Mamdani (@ZohranKMamdani) October 18, 2025
Mamdani, a New York state assemblyman representing Queens and a self-described democratic socialist, met with the two men days after his debate with former Governor Andrew Cuomo.
His campaign event was framed as an outreach visit to the Muslim community, but the post quickly became the subject of public scrutiny once details about Wahhaj’s background resurfaced.
According to federal court records and historical reporting, Siraj Wahhaj was named an unindicted co-conspirator in the 1993 World Trade Center bombing case.
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The attack, which killed six people and injured more than 1,000, was the first major terrorist assault on American soil by Islamist extremists.
Wahhaj had also testified in defense of Omar Abdel-Rahman, the “Blind Sheikh” who was later convicted of masterminding that bombing.
Zohran praying with Imam Siraj Wahhaj — deeply troubling for NYC.
Imam Siraj Wahhaj was named by U.S. Attorney Mary Jo White in 1995 as an “unindicted person who may be alleged as [a] conspirator” in the 1993 World Trade Center bombing (House Financial Services Hearing: Arabian… https://t.co/BbNssxgvrX pic.twitter.com/F2q74oCyxf
— Joseph Hernandez (@hernandezfornyc) October 18, 2025
Wahhaj’s public statements have long drawn criticism from counterterrorism experts and political figures.
He has previously stated that “Islam is better than democracy” and predicted that “in time, democracy will crumble.”
In multiple sermons throughout the 1990s, Wahhaj advocated for the implementation of sharia law and expressed disdain for Western democratic systems.
During a 1991 sermon, Wahhaj reportedly said, “Those who struggle for Allah, it doesn’t matter what kind of weapons [you use] … If you have faith in Allah and a knife! If Allah wants you to win, you will win!” He continued, “Because Allah is the only one who fights. And when his hand is over your hand, whoever is at war against my friends, I declare war on them… The Americans are not your friends … The Canadians are not your friends … The Europeans are not your friends.”
Over the years, Wahhaj’s statements and activities have continued to generate controversy.
According to public records, several individuals affiliated with his Brooklyn mosque were later convicted for providing material support to terrorists, including individuals connected to Omar Abdel-Rahman.
Wahhaj himself has publicly accused U.S. intelligence agencies of wrongdoing, referring to the FBI and CIA as “the real terrorists” and warning followers to distrust federal law enforcement.
In 2023, Wahhaj endorsed Yusef Salaam, one of the exonerated “Central Park Five” members, in his successful campaign for a seat on the New York City Council.
Salaam was present during Mamdani’s recent visit to Masjid At-Taqwa, which took place just weeks before Mamdani’s latest campaign events.
The controversy comes as Mamdani continues to lead in early polling for the 2025 New York City mayoral race.
Surveys of likely Democratic primary voters show him holding a significant advantage over former Governor Andrew Cuomo and Republican candidate Curtis Sliwa.
Mamdani’s campaign has emphasized issues such as housing reform, expanded social programs, and criminal justice policies aligned with progressive city lawmakers.
The New York City Office of Muslim Affairs also declined to address questions about the candidate’s recent visit.
The photos from Mamdani’s meeting continue to circulate on social media, drawing a range of responses from both supporters and critics.
Warning America!
Notorious Imam Siraj Wahhaj Boasts About Islamic Takeover of New York City at Terror-Linked ICNA 2024 Conference
“Think about New York City. 1,500,000 Muslims, 300 masjids, 30 full-time Muslim schools… I just found out recently, you know how many Muslim… pic.twitter.com/BsKm0JHHwo
— Amy Mek (@AmyMek) December 17, 2024
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