New Delhi: Relatives of people murdered in the September 11, 2001, Islamist terrorist attacks are opposing New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani’s attendance at the 25th anniversary commemoration, arguing that his presence would be divisive because of his positions on Israel, Gaza, Lebanon and the phrase “globalize the intifada.”
An online petition launched by two people who lost their spouses in the 9/11 attacks calls on organizers to exclude Mamdani from the annual ceremony at the National September 11 Memorial & Museum. The petition cites what its organizers describe as concerns over Mamdani’s public positions, political associations and statements, arguing that they conflict with “respect for the victims, recognition of the gravity of the attacks, and a clear rejection of the ideologies that contributed to such violence.”
The campaign against Mamdani has also received support from the Catholic League, described as the nation’s largest Catholic civil rights organisation. Catholic League President Bill Donohue, a US Air Force veteran, has separately called on the New York mayor to stay away from the 25th anniversary ceremony.
Catholic League says Mamdani’s presence would be “divisive”
In an open letter, Donohue argued that Mamdani had already “set the precedent for not attending” major commemorative events after skipping the 2025 Veterans Day Parade as mayor-elect and the 2026 Israel Day on Fifth parade as mayor.
Instead of attending the 2025 Veterans Day Parade, Mamdani marked Veterans Day by serving meals to veterans at a supportive-housing residence in the Bronx.
Donohue said Mamdani should similarly skip the 9/11 commemoration because his attendance would create controversy surrounding an event intended to remember those killed and affected by the attacks.
“Given that this is the 25th anniversary of 9/11, and that your presence would clearly be divisive, that is why there is a petition seeking to stop you from going, it would be best for everyone involved if you skipped this event,” Donohue wrote.
He warned that Mamdani’s attendance at the annual commemoration could make the proceedings “awkward, to say the least,” for surviving relatives of first responders.
Donohue also argued that Catholics would be particularly angered by Mamdani’s presence, citing an unofficial estimate that between 85 and 90 percent of the first responders were Catholic. His letter acknowledged that there is no official data available for that estimate.
“There are many reasons why so many New Yorkers, and Americans around the country, don’t want you at the 9/11 ceremony in New York City,” Donohue wrote.
Criticism Over Israel, “globalize the intifada” and Hasan Piker
Donohue’s criticism focused heavily on Mamdani’s record and statements concerning Muslims, Israel and the West Asia.
He accused the mayor of appearing more concerned about prejudice against Muslims following 9/11 than about the terrorist attacks themselves. Donohue questioned why Mamdani would not unequivocally condemn Islamists seeking to destroy the United States and Israel.
The Catholic League president also pointed to Mamdani’s refusal, according to the letter, to condemn the phrase “globalize the intifada,” which critics say calls for mass violence against Jews worldwide.
The criticism further cites Mamdani’s refusal to say that Israel has a “right to exist” as a Jewish state and his support for Palestinians in Gaza and Lebanon, which opponents characterize as support for Muslim terrorists.
Donohue also criticized Mamdani’s association with Hasan Piker, described in the letter as a notorious antisemite and anti-American figure. Piker has previously tweeted about 9/11 that “America deserved it,” according to the criticism cited by Donohue.
Donohue additionally referred to statements and writings by members of Mamdani’s family and political circle, including his father, Mahmood Mamdani, a Columbia University professor of anthropology. Donohue accused Mahmood Mamdani of defending Islamic terrorism and perpetrators of the September 11 attacks.
“To say they are disturbing is a gross understatement,” Donohue wrote, adding that their sentiments “mirror your own.” Donohue also faulted Mamdani for emphasizing anti-Muslim prejudice after 9/11 while, in his view, failing to adequately condemn the attack itself.
25th anniversary ceremony draws political controversy
The dispute comes as New York prepares to mark 25 years since the September 11, 2001, terrorist attacks.
The 9/11 Memorial & Museum has said elected officials attending the ceremony do not deliver remarks and are asked to remain in a designated area. According to the museum, officials from across the political spectrum attend the ceremony simply to “bear witness.”
Despite that established format, opposition to Mamdani’s attendance has become a prominent political controversy ahead of the 25th anniversary.
Bruce Blakeman, the Republican nominee in New York’s gubernatorial election, has also weighed in. Blakeman said people attending the September 11 memorial ceremony should “turn their backs” on Mamdani if he appears at the event.
Blakeman specifically cited Mamdani’s refusal to unequivocally condemn the phrase “globalize the intifada.” The opposition from 9/11 families, the petition campaign, Donohue and Blakeman places renewed scrutiny on Mamdani as the city approaches the 25th anniversary of the attacks.
