UPDATE: Democratic mayoral frontrunner Zohran Mamdani has sparked significant controversy after appearing alongside Imam Siraj Wahhaj at his mosque in Brooklyn on October 18, 2025. Wahhaj has previously been linked to the planning of the 1993 World Trade Center bombing, a devastating attack that killed six and injured over 1,000 people.
The appearance comes as Mamdani, who leads the race with 52% support among likely voters, faces scrutiny over his associations. Wahhaj, who has called for an Islamic state in America, was named among individuals “who may be alleged to be co-conspirators” in the trial of those convicted of the bombing.
Mamdani was seen arm-in-arm with Wahhaj at Masjid At-Taqwa, where he described Wahhaj as a “pillar of the Bed-Stuy community” and one of the nation’s foremost Muslim leaders. On social media, Mamdani stated, “Today at Masjid At-Taqwa, I had the pleasure of meeting with Imam Siraj Wahhaj… A beautiful Jummah.”
The controversy deepens as Wahhaj’s family faced serious legal charges: three of his children were sentenced to life in prison in 2024 for their involvement in a jihadist training compound in New Mexico. This compound was reportedly used to plan attacks against the U.S. government. Wahhaj claims to have aided law enforcement by reporting the compound’s location.
Wahhaj’s connections to terrorism extend back decades. He served as a character witness for Omar Abdel-Rahman, a cleric convicted for orchestrating a series of attacks, including the World Trade Center bombing. In sermons, Wahhaj has made alarming statements, suggesting a future where democracy “will crumble” and only Islam will prevail.
Recently, Wahhaj endorsed Mamdani’s campaign, calling him a “very good candidate” in an Instagram video. Notably, he also contributed $1,000 to the Unity and Justice Fund, which subsequently funded Mamdani’s campaign.
Despite Mamdani’s rising popularity, with former New York Governor Andrew Cuomo trailing at 28% and Republican nominee Curtis Sliwa at 14%, his campaign did not respond to inquiries regarding this controversial alliance.
This developing situation raises critical questions about the implications of Mamdani’s associations as he seeks to lead one of the nation’s largest cities. As the election approaches, all eyes will be on how this revelation may impact voter sentiment and the unfolding narrative of this high-stakes race.
Stay tuned for updates as this story develops, as the implications of Mamdani’s actions resonate throughout New York City and beyond.
