New York City’s mayoral race has taken a controversial turn, with frontrunner Zohran Mamdani, a self-described socialist, making a public appearance alongside Imam Siraj Wahhaj, a figure with a deeply troubling history tied to terrorism.
Mamdani, who is vying for the role of mayor, was seen arm-in-arm with Wahhaj this past Friday at Masjid At-Taqwa in Brooklyn, a mosque where Wahhaj has been a prominent leader for decades. Mamdani, in his social media post, described Wahhaj as a “pillar” of the community. “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,” Mamdani wrote. But the Imam’s history raises serious questions about this endorsement.
Wahhaj’s past is riddled with controversy. Prosecutors have linked him to several individuals involved in the 1993 World Trade Center bombing, an attack that killed six people and injured over 1,000. Wahhaj was named as one of the potential co-conspirators in the trial related to the bombing. His ties to terrorism are not just historical footnotes; they continue to raise red flags today. For example, three of Wahhaj’s children were sentenced to life in prison in 2024 for their roles in operating a jihadist training compound in New Mexico. This compound, authorities say, was used to plan attacks against the U.S. government.
Wahhaj also has a history of defending radical figures. In 1995, he served as a character witness for Omar Abdel-Rahman, also known as the “Blind Sheikh,” who orchestrated plans for the 1993 bombing and other terrorist activities. At the time, Abdel-Rahman had already been linked to violent extremist groups. Wahhaj described him as a “respected scholar,” despite Abdel-Rahman’s deep involvement in terrorism.
Furthermore, Wahhaj has made public statements that should alarm anyone concerned about American values. In one sermon, he predicted the collapse of democracy, stating, “In time, this so-called democracy will crumble, and there will be nothing. And the only thing that will remain will be Islam.” Such remarks are troubling, especially considering the context of Wahhaj’s connections to known terrorists.
Despite this history, Wahhaj has been an outspoken supporter of Mamdani’s mayoral bid. In June, Wahhaj posted an Instagram video endorsing Mamdani as a “very good candidate” and contributed $1,000 to a super PAC that directly supports Mamdani’s campaign.
Mamdani currently leads the race, according to an Oct. 16 survey, with 52% of support among likely voters. He is followed by former New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo, who is running as an independent, and Republican nominee Curtis Sliwa. However, Mamdani’s choice to associate with Wahhaj raises concerns about his judgment and the values he stands for.
Mamdani’s campaign did not respond to requests for comment, and Wahhaj has not been available for direct comment either. However, this partnership has already stirred significant controversy, with many questioning whether Mamdani is willing to turn a blind eye to the troubling associations of those who support him.
