Mamdani, in the eye of the storm: they handed over to an Al Qaeda lawyer the pen from 9/11

The mayor of New York, Zohran Mamdani, faced strong criticism again following a controversial moment during a September 11 commemoration event. After the official signed an executive order designating September 11 as a day of remembrance citywide, the pen used in the ceremony was handed to his chief legal advisor, Ramzi Kassem.

The gesture raised questions due to Kassem's professional background, as he previously represented a convicted member of Al Qaeda.

The controversy also arises amid increasing scrutiny of Mamdani's participation in the official remembrance events for the September 11, 2001 terrorist attacks.

Who is Ramzi Kassem

Kassem, currently the head of Mamdani's legal team, previously served as a defense attorney for a member of Al Qaeda who was convicted for his involvement in activities linked to the terrorist organization.

The case takes on a particularly sensitive dimension because the brother-in-law of the man Kassem represented was one of the hijackers of American Airlines Flight 77, the plane that was crashed into the Pentagon during the September 11 attacks.

It should be clarified that representing someone as a defense attorney does not necessarily imply sharing their views or endorsing their actions. Lawyers can defend accused and convicted individuals as part of the judicial system.

However, the connection came back under scrutiny due to the context in which the pen was handed over: an official event specifically dedicated to remembering the victims of the attacks.

Mamdani was already facing criticism over September 11

This episode adds to the questions Mamdani has already been receiving regarding his participation in the September 11 commemoration activities.

For New York, the date holds particularly deep significance. The 2001 attacks destroyed the Twin Towers, caused thousands of deaths, and profoundly marked the recent history of the city and the United States.

For that reason, any gesture made during the official commemoration events is usually subject to intense political and public scrutiny.

Kassem's presence and, particularly, the handing over of the symbolic object used during the signing of the executive order, opened a new front of criticism against Mamdani's administration.

A new pressure point for the mayor

The controversy comes at a time when the New York mayor faces strong scrutiny over his administration's decisions and the figures holding significant positions within his government.

For his critics, the episode reflects a lack of sensitivity regarding a date that is particularly painful for New York. His defenders, on the other hand, may argue that Kassem's background pertains to his professional activity as a lawyer and does not in itself constitute evidence of support for terrorism.

Nonetheless, the image of the September 11 pen ending up in the hands of an official who previously defended a convicted individual linked to Al Qaeda has become a new element of controversy surrounding Mamdani.