Zohran Mamdani has stirred up interest by endorsing a polarizing candidate to succeed him in the New York State Assembly. The contender, Aber Kawas, has previously attributed the September 11, 2001 attacks to ‘white supremacy,’ a stance that has sparked significant debate.
A Palestinian-American activist, Kawas relocated to the district only last year. Despite her recent arrival, Mamdani has thrown his support behind her bid to represent New York’s 36th district in a forthcoming special election, as reported by The New York Daily News.
This endorsement from the assembly member has shone a spotlight on Kawas, bringing attention to her more radical viewpoints, some of which have resurfaced from a 2017 event at the Asian American Writers’ Workshop.
During the workshop, Kawas, who has earned a Master’s degree in Islamic Liberation Theology from a South African university, articulated her perspective on 9/11, linking the attacks to systemic issues within America.
She argued that ‘the system of capitalism, racism, white supremacy, and Islamophobia have all been mechanisms to colonize lands and extract resources from others.’ Kawas suggested that these systemic issues have a long history and that the events of 9/11 are manifestations of this ongoing trajectory.
Kawas further noted that often, when asked to respond to attacks, the focus should shift to the historical context, highlighting that many issues stem from lands that were colonized and where conflicts have been ongoing.
‘The idea that we have to apologize for a terror attack that a couple people did and then there is no apology for genocides or slavery is something that I find reprehensible,’ she finished.Â
Mamdani has positioned himself as a firebrand leftist – both he and Kawas are members of the Democratic Socialists of America – with his own anti-Israel activism.
Zohran Mamdani has backed a controversial choice for his replacement in the New York State Assembly who once said ‘white supremacy’ was to blame for the attacks on September 11, 2001
Aber Kawas, a Palestinian-American activist who only moved to the district last year, has received Mamdani’s backing in her fight to take his seat in the state’s 36th district in a special election
Commentators on all sides were outraged, with one asking: ‘What the hell was Zohran thinking?’
‘It is getting absurd how many people seeking political office clearly hate this country and want to destroy the foundational principles that have made it successful,’ wrote another.
Another compared it to Mamdani’s friendship with leftist Twitch streamer Hasan Piker, who infamously said that America ‘deserved 9/11.’
‘Why do Zohran Mamdani’s supporters keep justifying 9/11?’Â
Ironically, Kawas’s biggest opponent appears to be another DSA member Brian Romero, the deputy chief of staff of Jessica Gonzales-Rojaz, a fellow assembly member set to run for State Senate next year.Â
The Daily Mail has reached out to both Mamdani and Kawas for comment.Â
The mayor-elect has recently attempted to make nice with President Donald Trump, who has referred to the 34-year-old as a communist.Â
Mamdani revealed that he plans to contact Donald Trump before he takes office because his relationship with the president ‘will be critical to the success of the city.’
Kawas – who holds a Master’s in Islamic Liberation Theology from a university in South Africa , connects the attacks on 9/11 to the ‘American system’
The Democratic Socialist confirmed in an interview with NBC New York that he will call Trump before being sworn in.
‘It is important that you are open to working with anyone no matter what disagreements you have,’ Mamdani said.
‘If President Trump wants to speak about lowering the cost of living or delivering cheaper groceries like he ran on [before], I’m here to have that conversation.’
The 34-year-old mayor-elect did not specify when he would contact Trump, but did say: ‘when he calls, I’m here to work for the benefit of the people who call this city home.’
‘Wherever there is a possibility for working together towards that end, I’m ready. And if [the administration’s policies] are to the expense of those New Yorkers, I will fight,’ he said.
Mamdani also slammed the president’s hardline immigration policies in the interview, adding that he will be ‘proactive’ in his efforts to combat them.
This astonishing move comes after their tensions reached a fever pitch prior to the mayoral election.
Trump endorsed his longtime rival, former New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo, in a last-ditch effort to stop Mamdani from winning the election.
Ironically, Kawas’s biggest opponent appears to be another DSA member Brian Romero, the deputy chief of staff of Jessica Gonzales-Rojaz, a fellow assembly member set to run for State Senate next year
He previously hinted that he would rather a ‘bad Democrat’ like Cuomo beat Mamdani because New York would turn into a ‘complete and total economic and social disaster’ under his principles.
The president even threatened on multiple occasions to withhold federal funds from the Big Apple if the 34-year-old came to office.
‘If Communist Candidate Zohran Mamdani wins the Election for Mayor of New York City, it is highly unlikely that I will be contributing Federal Funds, other than the very minimum as required, to my beloved first home,’ he wrote on social media.
‘Because of the fact that, as a Communist, this once great City has ZERO chance of success, or even survival!’
Mamdani lashed back at the president after winning the election, directly addressing him during his victory speech.
‘Donald Trump, since I know you’re watching, I have four words for you: turn the volume up!’ he said.
But the animosity may settle, with Trump saying last week ‘let’s see how a communist does in New York.’
‘We’re going to see how that works out, and we’ll help him,’ he said.
‘We’ll help him. We want New York to be successful.’
Mamdani also confirmed that he and New York Gov. Kathy Hochul have been working together on ways to relieve pressure from the current administration’s threats.
