Zohran Mamdani Campaigns with Controversial Imam Amid Terror Links

URGENT UPDATE: New York City mayoral frontrunner Zohran Mamdani sparked controversy Friday as he campaigned alongside Imam Siraj Wahhaj, a cleric linked to past terrorism cases, at the Masjid At-Taqwa mosque in Brooklyn. This appearance raises immediate questions about Mamdani’s associations as he leads the race with 52% support among likely voters.

In a striking move, Mamdani was seen arm-in-arm with Wahhaj, who has faced scrutiny for his past connections with the 1993 World Trade Center bombing and other terror-related plots. Prosecutors previously identified Wahhaj as a potential co-conspirator in the attack that killed six people and injured over 1,000 others. The cleric has a controversial history, including calls for an Islamic state in America.

During the campaign event, Mamdani praised Wahhaj as a “pillar” of the community, stating, “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.” This endorsement, shared on X, has drawn immediate backlash given Wahhaj’s history.

Wahhaj’s past includes serving as a character witness for Omar Abdel-Rahman, a cleric sentenced to life imprisonment for orchestrating attacks against Americans. Wahhaj’s three children were also sentenced to life in prison in 2024 for their roles in a jihadist training compound in New Mexico, where they plotted attacks against the U.S. government.

The implications of Mamdani’s association with Wahhaj are significant as the mayoral election approaches. Recent polling shows Mamdani leading with 52%, followed by disgraced former governor Andrew Cuomo at 28% and Republican nominee Curtis Sliwa at 14%. This latest development could influence voter sentiment as concerns about security and leadership grow.

As Mamdani continues his campaign, the fallout from this appearance is likely to be felt across the political landscape of New York City. Voter reactions and further media scrutiny are expected in the days leading to the election.

Mamdani’s campaign has not responded to requests for comment regarding the controversy. Meanwhile, Wahhaj, who recently endorsed Mamdani in a June Instagram video, remains a polarizing figure, further complicating the dynamics of the mayoral race.

Stay tuned for more updates as this story develops.