New York Mayor Zohran Mamdani announced his intention to attend the main September 11 memorial service and multiple related events on Friday, reaffirming his commitment to stand with families of victims and first responders. His attendance comes after former Mayor Rudy Giuliani made critical remarks about Mamdani during a weekend interview with Newsmax, stating that the current mayor’s participation in the ceremony offended him.
Giuliani, who led the city during the 2001 attacks, said he would also attend the ceremony. During his media appearance, he stated that Mamdani “should” skip the event. In his comments, Giuliani drew comparisons between Mamdani’s Islamic faith and the extremist ideology of the 9/11 hijackers, asserting that the terrorists had operated openly in the name of Islam while suggesting Mamdani was attempting to conceal his religious beliefs. Giuliani also offered his opinion that the mayor supports the notion that Islam should be a dominant religion.
Mamdani responded to the controversy by reiterating his pride in serving as mayor and his focus on honoring those killed in the attacks. The mayor’s office declined to provide further commentary on Giuliani’s statements. The mayor has previously discussed how the 2001 attacks created an Islamophobic backlash that made anti-Muslim prejudice “a fact of life” for Muslim Americans.
The dispute has drawn broader attention, with other public figures voicing opposition to Mamdani’s attendance. Former New York Governor George Pataki has spoken against his participation, and an online petition opposing his attendance has accumulated close to 100,000 signatures. The annual ceremony at the 9/11 memorial site attracts national and local leaders, with former US presidents Bill Clinton, George W Bush, and Barack Obama expected to attend Friday’s commemorations. Vice President JD Vance is expected to represent the White House at the New York event.
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