NY Mayor’s Wife Attends Islamic Retreat With Anti-Israel Posts
New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani’s wife attends an Islamic wellness retreat with anti-Israel posts, sparking controversy.
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While New York City’s Mayor, Zohran Mamdani, promoted his plan to combat antisemitism, his wife, Rama Duwaji, was attending a high-end Islamic wellness retreat. The retreat, known as the Women Sanctuary, is held in a repurposed 18th-century Portuguese castle near Porto. Duwaji participated as an ‘artist-in-residence’ and was charged $5,216 for her five-night stay in a private room.
Sanctuary’s Ideological Stance
The Women Sanctuary, founded by Rym Nur, promotes ‘sisterhood and spiritual connection,’ but its social media posts reveal a more radical stance. The group has published content calling for the abolition of Israel as a Jewish state and using the antisemitic phrase ‘from the river to the sea.’ One post stated, ‘Abolish the colonial apartheid state of Israel. Free Palestine,’ while another called for Allah to ‘cleanse Palestine’ of ‘oppressors.’
Retreats and Historical Claims
The Women Sanctuary’s retreats often take place in locations once ruled by pre-Crusades Arab caliphates. A statement from the group regarding a recent retreat in Mallorca read, ‘We gathered to reclaim our history,’ suggesting a desire to return to the caliphates. The group’s social media posts also praise Palestinian extremist Ahed Tamimi, who was arrested for inciting terrorism after posting threats against Israelis.
Public Backlash and Criticism
Duwaji, previously criticized for ‘liking’ posts that celebrated the October 7 massacre, is listed as a member of the Women Sanctuary team under the name ‘Karl Holland.’ The mayor’s plan to fight antisemitism in New York has faced criticism for not addressing the underlying issues, according to Moshe Spern, president of United Jewish Teachers.
Political and Social Implications
The situation highlights the growing divide between public figures and their personal beliefs, raising concerns about the influence of such groups on political platforms. As the controversy continues, the role of social media in amplifying extremist ideologies remains a critical issue in contemporary politics.
Source: Daily Wire