Mamdani inflames critics by backing hardline Muslim who blames ‘white Americans’ for 9/11
Zohran Mamdani backed a controversial bid to replace him in the New York State Assembly, once saying “white supremacy” was responsible for the attacks on September 11, 2001.
Aber Kawas, a Palestinian-American activist who moved to the area last year, received Mamdani’s support in his bid to take part in the state’s 36th district in the special election. New York Daily News reported.
The mayor-elect’s endorsement brought the 34-year-old newfound attention to some of his more extreme views, including one from the Asian American Writers Workshop in 2017.
Kawas, who has a master’s degree in Islamic Liberation Theology from a university in South Africa, associates the September 11 attacks with the ‘American system’ in this article.
‘The system of capitalism, racism, white supremacy and Islamophobia has been used to colonize lands, to take resources from other people, so it’s a long road and we’re just seeing manifestations of the continuation of that on 9/11,’ he said.
Kawas added: ‘When people ask us to respond about an attack, you look back historically and you see that most of them came from lands that had been colonized and where wars were being waged.’
“I find the idea that we should apologize for a terrorist attack by a few individuals and not for genocide or slavery to be reprehensible,” he concluded.
Mamdani has positioned herself as an ardent leftist through her anti-Israel activism — both she and Kawas are members of the Democratic Socialists of America.
Zohran Mamdani, who once said “white supremacy” was responsible for the attacks on September 11, 2001, backed a controversial pick for his replacement in the New York State Assembly.
Aber Kawas, a Palestinian-American activist who moved to the area last year, received Mamdani’s support in his bid to take part in the state’s 36th district in the special election.
Commentators from all sides were outraged, with one asking the question: ‘What was Zohran thinking?’
Another wrote: “It is becoming increasingly ridiculous that so many people seeking political office openly hate this country and want to destroy the fundamental principles that have made this country successful.”
Another likened it to Mamdani’s friendship with leftist Twitch streamer Hasan Piker, who said America ‘deserved 9/11’.
‘Why do Zohran Mamdani’s supporters continue to legitimize 9/11?’
Ironically, Kawas’s biggest rival appears to be another DSA member, Brian Romero, who is deputy chief of staff to assemblywoman Jessica Gonzales-Rojaz, who will run for State Senate next year.
The Daily Mail has reached out to both Mamdani and Kawas for comment.
The mayor-elect has tried to build good relations with President Donald Trump, who recently referred to the 34-year-old as a communist.
Mamdani explained that he plans to contact Donald Trump before taking office because his relationship with the president “will be critical to the success of the city.”
Kawas, who has a master’s degree in Islamic Liberation Theology from a university in South Africa, attributes the September 11 attacks to the ‘American system’
The Democratic Socialist confirmed in an interview with NBC New York that he will call Trump before he is sworn in.
“It’s important to be open to working with anyone, no matter what disagreements you have,” Mamdani said.
‘If President Trump wants to talk about lowering the cost of living or delivering cheaper food like he’s done before, [before]I’m here to have this conversation.’
The 34-year-old mayor-elect did not specify when he would contact Trump but said: ‘When he calls, I am here to work for the benefit of the people who call this city home.’
‘I am ready wherever there is an opportunity to work together towards this goal. And if [the administration’s policies] “I will fight at the expense of New Yorkers,” he said.
Mamdani also criticized the president’s strict immigration policies in the interview, adding that he would be ‘proactive’ in efforts to combat them.
This surprising move comes after tensions reached their highest level ahead of the mayoral elections.
Trump backed his longtime rival, former New York Governor Andrew Cuomo, as a last-ditch effort to prevent Mamdani from winning the election.
Ironically, Kawas’s biggest rival appears to be another DSA member, Brian Romero, who is deputy chief of staff to assemblywoman Jessica Gonzales-Rojaz, who will run for State Senate next year.
He has previously hinted that he would prefer a “bad Democrat” like Cuomo defeat Mamdani because New York would become a “complete and total economic and social disaster” according to his principles.
The president has even threatened multiple times that federal funds would be cut from the Big Apple if the 34-year-old takes office.
“If Communist Candidate Zohran Mamdani wins the New York City Mayoral Election, it is unlikely that I will contribute Federal Funds beyond the required minimum towards my beloved first home,” he wrote on social media.
‘Because as a Communist the once-great City has ZERO chance of success or even survival!’
Mamdani lashed out at the president after winning the election, directly addressing him during his victory speech.
‘Donald Trump, since I know you’re watching, I have four words for you: Turn up the volume!’ he said.
However, the hostility may have calmed down after Trump said last week, “Let’s see what a communist is doing in New York.”
‘We’ll see how this turns out and we’ll help him,’ he said.
‘We will help him. ‘We want New York to succeed.’
Mamdani also confirmed that he and New York Governor Kathy Hochul are working together on ways to relieve pressure from the current administration’s threats.
