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Mar 21, 2026

Mamdani Sparks Backlash With Controversial Dinner Amid Rising Iran Tensions

Mamdani Sparks Backlash With Controversial Dinner Amid Rising Iran Tensions

New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani is facing renewed scrutiny after hosting a Ramadan dinner at Gracie Mansion for controversial activist Mahmoud Khalil and his family.

Khalil, a Syrian-born former graduate student at Columbia University, attended the gathering with his wife Noor and their young son, Deen. The mayor shared moments from the evening on Instagram, noting it coincided with the one-year anniversary of Khalil’s detention.

“Rama and I were honored to welcome Mahmoud and his family to break our fast together,” Mamdani wrote, referring to his wife, Rama Duwaji.

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