Mayor-elect Zohran Mamdani lent his endorsement to a Democratic Socialists of America-backed New York state assembly candidate who has expressed support for convicted terrorists and who, like Mamdani, is a protégé of controversial activist Linda Sarsour and a fan of radical imam Siraj Wahhaj.
Aber Kawas — a Palestinian-American and longtime Muslim activist who has made controversial statements about terrorism and 9/11 — recently sought the endorsement of the NYC DSA for her run in the 34th Assembly District in Queens, and she reportedly received a majority backing in a vote by the DSA’s Electoral Working Group last week after a member of the Mamdani campaign conveyed that she had his support.
Mamdani, a member of the DSA, leaned heavily on the backing of the socialist group and of Muslim activist groups to win both the Democratic primary in June and the general election earlier in November. Kawas made it clear on her personal Instagram page this month that she had assisted with Mamdani’s successful campaign, including posting a picture of the two of them together.
A Just the News review previously found that Mamdani embraced a nearly decade-long association with Sarsour, a high-profile anti-Israel and pro-Palestinian activist, as he rose from an activist to New York State assemblyman and now the Democratic Party-backed winner to be mayor of America’s largest city. Sarsour’s commentary and views on Israel have stirred years of controversy and accusations of anti-Semitism, an allegation she denies.
Kawas had a since-deleted Twitter account under the name “Zapatista Hijabi”, and a search of the archived tweets and of Sarsour’s own tagging of the now-defunct account shows Sarsour heaping praise on Kawas while Kawas returned compliments. Kawas also called Sarsour “my girl” in a June 2013 post on Instagram.
Online biographies and social media postings show Kawas also worked with and for the Arab American Association of New York (AAANY) for years, overlapping with the timeframe in which Sarsour was the group’s executive director.
Mamdani had spoken at imam Siraj Wahhaj’s Brooklyn mosque in October and praised him on X as “one of the nation’s foremost Muslim leaders and a pillar of the Bed-Stuy community for nearly half a century.”
The imam has a long history of incendiary commentary and appeared as a character witness for Egyptian Sheikh Omar Abdel-Rahman – commonly known as the “Blind Sheikh” – who was convicted of seditious conspiracy in 1995 for his involvement in the 1993 World Trade Center bombing and other plots to bomb major NYC landmarks.
Wahhaj and Mamdani praised each other during the remarks at the Brooklyn mosque in October.
Kawas said in a June 2013 post on Instagram: “The Legend Himself [winky face] Imam Siraj Wahaj in the hizzouse. Ooozing with Inspiration.”
Kawas did not respond to a request for comment sent to her through her personal Instagram. Mamdani did not respond to a request for comment sent through his campaign. Sarsour did not respond to a request for comment sent to her through her MPower Change group. Wahhaj did not respond to a request for comment sent to him through his mosque.
Mamdani Backs Kawas in Bid for DSA Endorsement
It was reported by the New York Daily News early this week that “Mamdani’s support for Palestinian-American activist Aber Kawas — conveyed during a closed-door Democratic Socialists of America meeting last Wednesday — marks the first time the incoming mayor has put his thumb on the scale in a local race since his own Nov. 4 election win.”
Sources relayed to the outlet that Mamdani transition team political adviser Sam McCann told the DSA members at the meeting that the mayor-elect supported Kawas. “[Mamdani] told me that while he has tremendous respect for everyone in this race, he has said that he will support Aber in whatever she pursues,” McCann reportedly said.
“We have to actually run a Palestinian Arab in this race because we need to draw the fire of the Israeli lobby, and we have to beat them,” Kawas political adviser Joe Stanton reportedly said at the DSA meeting. “We did it with Zohran, and people have started realizing that they don’t run things.”
The outlet reported that “after Mamdani chimed in, the DSA’s Electoral Working Group endorsed Kawas, voting for her […] by a 69%-18% margin.”
It was also reported by Politico that the “sign-off” from Mamdani “helped her secure the endorsement” from the DSA.
The Queens Connection
Kawas posted earlier in November on Instagram about her “Canvass Highlights in Queens from last week” as she celebrated Mamdani’s win. She said she attended “another canvass … organized by” the Muslim Democratic Club of New York — also a group where Mamdani had been a board member and where Sarsour had been the co-founder and president as well. She said she was “finishing off with the last Mamdani Mayoral Campaign shift for our district with my DSA peeps before heading off to wait for the results.”
“Moments/movements like this are not about one figure or election, they are about the people who find hope in fighting for a more dignified life,” Kawas said. “I was blessed to be among so many of them and will carry that energy into what’s coming next InshaAllah [Allah willing].”
Kawas also posted a picture of herself and other supporters with Mamdani on Instagram earlier this month.
“Zohran’s historic win last week was not a spontaneous moment; it was built over years of sustained community organizing,” Kawas said. “For me, this moment began in 2017 when Father Khader El-Yateem launched his aspirational run in the 43rd District’s Democratic primary race for a new City Council representative. While volunteering for this campaign, I met Zohran.”
Sarsour helped run El Yateem’s unsuccessful race and Mamdani also played a key leadership role in it.
Kawas added earlier this month: “Even though El-Yateem lost the race, he inspired a massive political movement in Bay Ridge, pushing a new generation of political perspectives to run unapologetically with uncompromising platforms. This included Zohran and myself, who met up over a cup of coffee later that year to discuss centering Palestine in electoral politics — it’s what brought us together years after that to build the Not on Our Dime Campaign.”
“If we don’t have candidates who will fight for Palestine — we need to run them. If we’re afraid they will get detracted by a corrupt political system — we need to build a base of support, on every level, that will hold them down,” Kawas said, adding, “For Gaza — for the workers — for the suffering — let’s keep on going. From Bay Ridge to Astoria from Albany to City Hall. Yalla [Let’s Go]!”
The Kawas-Sarsour Connection
Kawas is listed as working at the Creating Law Enforcement Accountability & Responsibility (CLEAR) project starting in July of last year. The group says that its “mandate is to support Muslim and all other client [sic], communities, and movements in the New York City area and beyond that are targeted by local, state, or federal government agencies under the guise of national security and counterterrorism.”
The CLEAR online biography for Kawas says that “after witnessing the effects of unjust War on Terror policies targeting close friends and family members, Aber has been organizing with the Arab and Muslim communities in New York City around issues such as police surveillance, racial profiling, and immigrant rights.” The biography says that she “previously served as the NYC Advocacy Specialist with the Campaign to Take on Hate under the National Network of Arab American Communities” and that “before that, she served as Advocacy Director at the Arab American Association of NY” — the group that had been run by Sarsour.
Kawas also repeatedly posted about her support for and involvement in the AAANY in Instagram posts between 2015 and 2017. Kawas was labeled a “Youth Lead Organizer” for the AAANY in a 2017 video.
The AAANY also tagged the since-deleted Kawas Twitter account multiple times.
“@ZapatistaHijabi speaking at #BlackLivesMatter w/ … @ArabAmericanNY at #BarclaysCenter #ThisStopsToday,” the group tweeted in December 2014.
The AAANY also said in November 2015 that “@ZapatistaHijabi [is] repping and joining the #FightFor15 #solidarity.”
Sarsour was also effusive in her praise for Kawas on Twitter, although much of what Kawas may have said in response was not archived before the Kawas Twitter account was deleted.
Sarsour: “Here Comes the Revolution”
“As some sisters walk by, the wind softly says, ‘It’s her. Here comes the revolution.’ That’s u … @ZapatistaHijabi,” Sarsour tweeted in September 2013.
Sarsour tweeted in November 2013 about Kawas and others that “so many of my inspirations are younger than me” and that with the “spiciness, talent, cuteness, dedication of … @ZapatistaHijabi – what u need with me?”Sarsour told her followers to follow “NYC civil rights activists” including Kawas in a February 2014 tweet.
She called Kawas one of the “#EmpoweredMuslimWomen” in March 2014. Tagging the accounts of Kawas and others, she tweeted that month that “[I] love you guys very much.”
“@ZapatistaHijabi remember all the nights we stayed up tweeting re: #endnypdspying more 2 come,” Sarsour tweeted in April 2014.
Sarsour also tweeted that month that “[I] miss you all [heart]” and tagged Kawas and others. She also tweeted that “[I] “look forward 2 seeing … @ZapatistaHijabi” soon.
Kawas appeared to use her since-deleted account to tweet in response to Sarsour: “Back at you. A reunion was necessary.”
Sarsour also tweeted in November 2014, “Thanks 4 sharing @ZapatistaHijabi – Why Muslims Need to Get Out the Vote … #MuslimVote #RockTheVote #MuslimVotesMatter.”
Sarsour was sharing a since-deleted blogpost by Kawas for the Muslim American Society.
“@ZapatistaHijabi declaring #BlackLivesMatter at an action today. #ThisStopsToday #11days #ericgarner,” Sarsour tweeted in December 2014, sharing a photo of Kawas. She also tweeted: “Thank you … @ZapatistaHijabi for your leadership on behalf of our community. #BlackLivesMatter.”
Sarsour tagged Kawas and others in a March 2015 tweet about “#FierceWomen #InternationalWomensDay.” She also said that she saw Kawas and others “as leaders, not my competition. They inspire me to be better. They r our now!”
“Proud of our young leaders,” Sarsour tweeted in June 2015. “@ZapatistaHijabi to testify on behalf of @ArabAmericanNY in support of #RightToKnowAct. #changetheNYPD.”
Sarsour tagged Kawas in an August 2015 tweet about attending the Islamic Society of North America’s convention in NYC.
Kawas shared a picture of herself with Sarsour in August 2015 at a protest, saying, “What this week felt like in image. #FreeMuhammadAllan” — a Palestinian detained by the Israeli government, which claimed he was a member of the terrorist Islamic Jihad.
Other online biographies for Kawas also note that she has worked with the Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR) in New York. Kawas shared a CAIR “Know Your Rights” brochure on Instagram in January 2014. CAIR, which has a close affiliation with Sarsour and repeatedly has her appear at events as a lecturer or keynote speaker, also poured money into Mamdani’s mayoral race this year, according to campaign finance records.
Republican Texas Gov. Greg Abbott designated the Muslim Brotherhood and CAIR this week as being “foreign terrorist organizations and transnational criminal organizations.” CAIR has denied the label and sued the Texas government.
Kawas Shows Sympathy for Holy Land Five and Al-Qaeda — and Seems to Blame U.S. For 9/11
Kawas referred to convicted al-Qaeda financier Fahad Hashmi as an “imprisoned hero” in a since-deleted Tumblr post from 2015 first unearthed by social media influencer Drew Pavlou.
“A federal judge in New York City on Wednesday sentenced a 30-year-old Pakistan-born American, Syed Fahad Hashmi, to 15 years in prison. Hashmi had earlier pleaded guilty to providing material support to a terrorist organization,” Voice of America reported in 2010. “Syed Fahad Hashmi had pleaded guilty in April to one count of giving what prosecutors described as military gear to al-Qaeda operatives in London. The 15-year sentence had been negotiated between U.S. prosecutors and defense attorneys and, in court in April, Hashmi admitted his guilt.”
Kawas — just as Mamdani had done in his own past rap lyrics — also showed sympathy in the Tumblr post for the “the Holy Land Five”, who had been convicted by the Justice Department for supporting the terrorist group Hamas.
Kawas said of Hashmi, the Holy Land Five, and others: “Sometimes it strikes me how little of a degree of separation we all have to these imprisoned heroes. … Each day they are locked up is a day that our hearts cannot be at ease. We cannot rest until each and everyone is free. Their lives are a source of inspiration to us for they are living martyrs, teaching us lessons in patience, sacrifice, and integrity.’’
She also shared since-deleted fundraising pages for those linked to the Holy Land Foundation.
The Justice Department announced an indictment in 2004 against the Holy Land Foundation for Relief and Development (HLF) and seven of its senior leaders “for providing and conspiring to provide material support to Hamas.” In 2001, the U.S. government listed HLF as Designated Global Terrorists (SDGT). Five of the Holy Land Foundation’s leaders — later referred to as “The Holy Land Five” — were convicted in 2008, and sentenced to decades in prison in 2009.
Mamdani released a heavily auto-tuned electronic rap track titled “Salaam” in March 2017 which remains on his SoundCloud page. The song was first unearthed by social media poster Canary Mission, among others who have pointed out that Mamdani sang about the Holy Land Five — with praise — and that Mamdani sent his “love” to them. He tweeted in March 2017 that the song was “about being Muslim in America today.”
Kawas also posted in 2015 on Tumblr about convicted Algerian-born synagogue bombing plotter Ahmad Farhani, calling him her “brother … whose family I know.’’
“After being pursued for years by the NYPD and eventually caught up in an entrapment case, last weekend he attempted suicide in order to escape his circumstance,” Kawas said. “He saw nowhere out but death. This is the state our people are in.”
“By targeting a synagogue … I intended to create chaos and send a message of intimidation and coercion to the Jewish population of New York City, warning them to stop mistreating Muslims,” Farhani admitted in 2012 according to ABC New York.
Kawas also made controversial statements about Islamic terrorism and 9/11 in a February 2017 video posted by the Asian American Writers Workshop and titled “Islamophobia Beyond 9/11 with Aber Kawas.” In the video, Kawas was listed as a leader at the Sarsour-led AAANY.
The Usual Suspects: Islamophobia, Colonialism, Capitalism, White Supremacy
“Islamophobia is something that we start to talk about in the framework of 9/11, the timeframe of 9/11, but Islamophobia is a part of a very, very long historical systematic process, right? And this process has a lot to do with colonialism,” Kawas said, then lamenting the Spanish reconquest of lands seized by Islamic empires. “I started to study Andalusia and this idea that with, like, European conquest of this, like, Muslim civilization in Europe, then leading to colonialism in the Americas.”
Kawas added: “The system of capitalism and racism and white supremacy, et cetera, have all — and Islamophobia — have all been used, you know, to colonize lands, right, to take resources from other people, and so this is, like, a long trajectory. And we’re just seeing the manifestations of that continuation, right, with 9/11.”
“When people are asking us to respond about, you know, an attack, when if you look back historically, right, you know, a lot of us come from lands that were colonized, lands where wars are being waged, right, and a lot of times because of U.S. policy or the policies in Europe,” Kawas also said. “The idea that we have to apologize for, like, a terror attack that, like, a couple people did, and then there is no apologies or reparations for genocides and for slavery, um, et cetera, is something that I kind of find, like, reprehensible.”
It remains to be seen whether Mamdani’s controversial endorsement of Kawas will be enough to land her a seat in the New York State Assembly — the same job Mamdani had on his path to leading New York City.
Jerry Dunleavy is a Chief Investigative Correspondent for Just the News.
Reprinted with Permission from Just the News – By Jerry Dunleavy
The opinions expressed by columnists are their own and do not necessarily represent the views of AMAC or AMAC Action.
Everything I need to know about Islam, I learned from Hamas, Boko Haram, Al Qaida, Hezbollah, Muslim Brotherhood, Taliban (and many others) plus politicians such as Barak Obama, Ilhan Omar and Rashida Tlaib, et al.
The left can gaslight all it wants. I’m not buying it.
These people, and those of their ilk, need to be deported. Every one of them is a parasite and contribute nothing other than strife, division, violence, hate and malcontent. Get rid of them.
Well, the NYC and surrounding area is slowly being occupied by Muslim invaders. The same tactics the Muslims have used in Minnesota and Michigan for takeover there. Another target seems to be the Los Angeles area and why not, they got the largest US city, NYC, why not for the second largest. It is a shame that these cities’ populations remain asleep to what is truly happening. The Muslim 100-year plan to takeover this country continues.
President Trump must find a legal way to get Mamdani out. He and his followers will endanger Americans
This is only a start. Same as it was for the city of London, England, each Muslim who is appointed to or voted into a city office immediately goes to work bringing in more Muslims into positions of power until, ultimately, they have complete government control. And they’re laughing their heads off, not believing that the stupid infidels are letting it happen so easily. And they’re right, of course. Ignorance is bliss and the dumbed down infidels are in total bliss.
If you happen to ask the average American if he or she is aware of what’s happening in England, they haven’t a clue. They’re only interest in the current social problems of the royal family. And the mainstream media refuses to report on or show what has happened in England and how it occurred. In fact they are going out of their way to run cover for the takeovers. Whenever you possibly can, encourage those you know to look into the mess over there and how it was accomplished. It’s not that the mainstream media lies about what’s happening, they simply refuse to report on it or discuss it at all.
Islam is not compatible in the United States or any other country it is allowed into. It needs to remain in the middle east where it belongs. I in no way have an interest in it, and don’t want it forced on to me. But eventually thanks to weak minded people and political leaders who have allowed them to invade us like deadly disease WE THE PEOPLE are going to have to deal with it sooner or later. Hopefully sooner through diplomatic reason, and not later through a forced Revolutionary War.
We need to get rid of these whack jobs now or we’re going to be sorry
A cell is well established in Min. and congress as well and growing, only a voter can cut that tumor out .And dep. of immigration.
I’m really sick of these evil foreign-born radicals forcing others to adapt to them and their evil ways. If they don’t like Jews, freedom, and white people, they should go back under the rock they crawled out from under. There’s plenty of room in Middle Eastern countries where they can live in the 6th century under their vile system of laws. If their systems are so great, why did they leave? Could it be the desire to impose their way of life on those who are actually productive for the good of humanity? Exactly what benefit to humanity has come from moslem (yes, I mean moslem, not muslim) countries? What have they invented or developed other than intolerance, treating women and non-Muslims as third-class citizens (or worse), brutality, and persecution of the Western world? If anyne disagrees with them, they start to play the victim card, and start with the name calling. That kind of behavior should have been left behind once someone achieves the age of 6, but it is the norm for the average lefty on the street.
It all boils down to making America a caliphate, one city at a time, one state at a time,
and if you oppose, one massacre at a time.
the web of evil is growing supported by evil politicians and donors to destroy the freedom and quality of life in America. time is running out for Americans to stand up and push back against this invasion.
People must be voting for these muslim terrorists or they wouldn’t be in office.
So we need to ask why and then set about educating the American people about the truth about islam.
islam is evil. Period!
Islamophobia literally means fear of islam.
I ain’t scared.
This article is saying nothing new. Did the American voters in New York City really think that Mamdani was the only foreign Muslim to take over a city. This is just the beginning. Minnesota Washington Oregon Californië all these liberal states will soon be overrun by these Muslims. Osama bin Laden predicted it. And here we are. America being destroyed from within by the democrats.
New York will be named New London by his second term.
Voters remorse coming but too late.
The radical left and AIC and Sanders and The Gang of Four who constantly are against Israel are against the USA as well. This is about a internal revolution to promote a Muslim America domination The Ottoman Turks did it for centuries in tbe middle east and made their way to the Australian Captial city in tbe century Look at the mess of the Balkans centuries of secretariat wars then the before WW1 the lighting spark of WW1 Tito during WW2 for the Nazis domination then brought Communist Political power to that region he kept it together by force once he died it exploded into what became the 1990s
Balkan War of the former Yugoslavia was decemaite be genocide against each other .What Muslim who craved world domination will start again .The Current Leader of our “NATO Ally ” Turkey is constantly rattle anti Israel rhetoric and underlining tones against the USA
HISTORY is doomed to repeat if you can not learn from and take the lessons to no repeat appeasement and apathy
There’s also a massive 400-acre Islamic community being planned in Texas. And ONCE AGAIN, judges are blocking Abbot’s efforts to declare CAIR and the Muslim Brotherhood as terrorist organizations, so that completion of this planned shariah law indoctrination camp can move forward.
New York City is going to be an outstanding example of what not to do. And when it all collapses they’re going to figure out a way to blame it on Donald Trump and capitalism.
The fact that these radical liberals blue states and cities are electing people who are terrorists and enemies of our country. These groups are taking over western countries with the intent of making the entire planet Islam with Sharia law. It is more than frightening. Years ago I was told that this was their plan and that these terrorists were even then “worming” their way into the U.S. I was skeptical, but the last decade has proven that man to be correct. We must do something now to prevent these haters of non-Islam people from being elected to any public office. Our very lives and way of life will be destroyed and those who will not comply will be viciously murdered. We have all seen how the behead people, tear their bodies apart and are beaten to nothingness. They are ruthless and have no reverence for human life.
This country has no balls! The country allows this redoric and this will be the demise of our country unless the united states stops bring so soft on Muslims and their takeover of this country. This stems from allowing sooo many Arabs and Muslims to come into this country. Especially since they do not want to assimilate into our way of life. In 100 years, this country will not be Christian and I’m glad I won’t be alive to see it!
I dont know why Trump is being friendly with Muslims. They lie. They have put people in government all across America. They are planning to take over and turn America muslim. that is there only plan. They will lie and do what ever to achieve their plan. We need to stand up to them and not allow them to just take over. We are at war and dont even understand what is happening
This is the way Our World ends — not with a whimper but with a bang…We’d better stand up to this. The Muslim organizations’ (e.g. CAIR and Sarsour’s groups) goal is to back radical Islamists and haters in primaries throughout our country; they all look at the long game to takeover as they have already done in Europe. I fear this because Americans are welcoming and naive and over-confident that the United States as we know it will last forever. It is already stressed and failing per these terrors Obama and Biden brought into OUR country. They seek to divide and conquer and they are doing it! They are winning smaller offices like the mayor of Minneapolis and now NYC and their intention is to win it all. Obama said he’s always side with the Muslims…
When will patriots do what has to be done??
Pay attention, NYC. Stay tuned, USA. This $*it is just getting started. Just ask the folks in Michigan and Minnesota how it feels.
It is not Islamophobia to not want these people here, when their whole belief is to kill us all!!!!
Islam is not compatible with a democratic republic such as we have.
Mamdani is nothing but TROUBLE…with a capital ‘T.’
Gather them all up, load them into the cargo hold on the next outbound freight vessel, leave it to the discretion of the skipper and crew as to their best possible destination at least halfway around the world.
NYC is finished!
2 spread Islam nationwide
The people need to smarten up before we all become sheep and if you don’t know what muslims do to sheep, you’d better look it up and soon,before it’s too late.
Athieism is the opium of the Democratic Socilist/Communist movement. No God – no sin. The ten commandments mean nothing. The Golden Rule means nothing. Lie, cheat, slander, kill, defamation, you name it, it’s in their DNA. President Trump should not trust Mamdami or anybody in his circle.
Dangerous people and Trump glad to shake his hand and say wishes him and his program well. After Trumps treatment of the Ukraine and continually praising the head of a the CCP we have lost all faith in our leaders. Ayn Rand solution is looking like the only way out.
I trust GOD ALMIGHTY and our Saviour, His Son, Jesus Christ, to take over and crush Islam and Hamas and protect the country of Israel! COME LORD JESUS COME! THE SOONER THE BETTER FOR THIS EARTH!
My dogs will be in heaven with me and Zohran “Mom’s Dummy” will be in the lake of fire just like all the other Muslims. They seem to like what the devil is offering. They will never learn anything.
We do not seem to have a strategy for dealing with peoples who hate the West. That is a broad view but we continue to accept immigrants who do not assimilate and once settled begin to work against our country and culture. I don’t hate them but I am not interested to adopting their culture and values!
Mamdani is a curse on NYC and his “friends” and alliances the same, all who bode very badly for our entire nation. They promote violence, hatred, prejudice, distortions, lies and bode very bad things as goals for OUR country. Tlaib and Omar are the tiny tip of the iceberg. Everyone of them who is not a citizen or who is a naturalized citizen should be deported for fomenting chaos and hate within our country. The Left can make nice all it wants but they are gaslighting again as they side with Communist policies and the lack of ethics that involves. They are so eager to take power no matter what that does to our country, they will befriend anyone and anything that will allow them to hold onto control. This is war!
Andrew C. McCarthy wrote three excellent books on this subject.
If you hate this country so much why are you here? Because they are foreign born Welfare Rats (or Cheats). If you are willingly , and illegally taking a government check (from those who legally earn it) Shut the f**k up (and /or go back to the sh*thole of your origin).
Is Mamdani the AntiChrist?? sounds like it!