Mamdani to Attend 9/11 Ceremony Despite Opposition

A coalition of 9/11 victims’ relatives, first responders and elected officials presented a petition with nearly 102,000 signatures urging New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani not to attend the 25th-anniversary ceremony at Ground Zero. The group cited Mamdani’s associations and his appointment of an attorney who once represented an al-Qaida operative, while saying its objections concern his conduct and views rather than his Muslim faith. Former Mayor Rudy Giuliani separately called Mamdani’s attendance offensive and made unsupported claims linking the mayor’s beliefs to the ideology of the 9/11 hijackers, drawing criticism as anti-Muslim rhetoric. Mamdani rejected the calls to stay away and confirmed he plans to attend the main ceremony and other memorial events, saying the commemoration should focus on victims, their families and first responders. Another group representing about 250 9/11 families defended Mamdani’s participation and condemned what it called an Islamophobic campaign. Mamdani has also signed orders establishing a citywide day of remembrance and strengthening emergency preparedness.