Some critics cite Mamdani’s Muslim faith in demanding he skip 9/11 anniversary ceremony

NEW YORK (RNS) — As New York City prepares to commemorate the 25th anniversary of the 9/11 attacks, Mayor Zohran Mamdani has faced growing criticism from conservatives and others who demand he not attend the ceremony at ground zero on Friday. While some have referred to Mamdani’s politics and past statements, others have also pointed to the mayor’s Muslim faith to justify his exclusion.

“The reality is this ceremony is for the families and for America to remember historically,” former New York Mayor Rudy Giuliani told NewsMax last week before drawing parallels between Mamdani and the al-Qaida terrorists who plotted the 9/11 attacks. Giuliani also repeated unverified claims that Mamdani was part of a Muslim-led plot to take over “certain parts of America and certain parts of Europe.”

Known as “America’s mayor” for leading the city during 9/11 and its aftermath, Giuliani most recently worked as President Donald Trump’s personal lawyer. He was disbarred in New York and faced legal charges for his involvement in Trump’s attempt to overturn the 2020 election, before Trump pardoned him.

Though Mamdani has declined to comment on…