Zohran Mamdani Faces Backlash for 1993 WTC Bombing Imam Photo

New York mayoral candidate Zohran Mamdani is facing intense criticism. He posted a smiling photo with Imam Siraj Wahhaj. Survivors of the 1993 World Trade Center bombing are leading the outrage.

Federal prosecutors once named Wahhaj an unindicted co-conspirator in the attack. Mamdani’s social media post praised the imam as a community pillar. The move has sparked a painful reckoning for many New Yorkers.

Imam’s Controversial History and Statements

Imam Siraj Wahhaj was never formally charged. Federal investigators, according to the New York Post, found links between his mosque and the bombers. Prosecutors believed he was involved but lacked evidence for a trial.

Wahhaj has publicly defended some of the attackers. He has also called the FBI and CIA the “real terrorists.” His past statements have drawn significant scrutiny.

He has advocated for strict Islamic law over democracy. Wahhaj has supported punishments like stoning and hand-cutting. These views are documented in his public speeches.

Survivors Condemn “Deeply Insensitive” Act

Stan Brezenoff was the Port Authority executive director during the 1993 attack. He called the photo a minimization of a “hellish experience.” The bombing killed six people and injured over a thousand.

Maria Danzilo’s sister was trapped in the North Tower. She escaped down smoke-filled stairs and suffered lasting trauma. Danzilo called the politicians’ act “shameful.”

She said it shows a “stunning lack of understanding” of what New Yorkers endured. The Port Authority police union also condemned Mamdani. They questioned the city’s “Never Forget” mantra.

The controversy highlights the enduring sensitivity surrounding the 1993 World Trade Center attack. For survivors and victims’ families, the political embrace of a figure linked to the bombing remains a deeply painful issue.

Thought you’d like to know-

Who is Imam Siraj Wahhaj?

Imam Siraj Wahhaj is a Muslim leader from Brooklyn. Federal prosecutors named him an unindicted co-conspirator in the 1993 World Trade Center bombing. He has never been charged with a crime related to the attack.

What was the 1993 World Trade Center bombing?

It was a terrorist attack on February 26, 1993. A truck bomb detonated in the North Tower’s underground garage. The explosion killed six people and wounded more than a thousand others.

How did Zohran Mamdani describe the imam?

Mamdani called Imam Wahhaj a “foremost Muslim leader” and a “pillar” of the community. He posted the photo after attending Friday prayers at the imam’s mosque. The post expressed his pleasure at the meeting.

Why are people upset about the photo?

Survivors and victims’ families find the photo deeply insensitive. They believe it dishonors the memory of those killed and injured. It has triggered painful memories for those who lived through the attack.

Has Imam Wahhaj commented on the bombing?

He has maintained his innocence regarding direct involvement. However, he has later defended some of the individuals convicted for the attack. He has also made statements critical of U.S. intelligence agencies.