Shocking Photo Surfaces: NYC Mayoral Candidate Zohran Mamdani Smiles Alongside Brooklyn Imam Who Once Urged “Jihad” on New York With an Army of 10,000 Men
A resurfaced image of New York City mayoral frontrunner Zohran Mamdani alongside a controversial Brooklyn imam has ignited outrage across political circles and social media. The cleric, once tied to extremist rhetoric, previously made public remarks calling for the creation of an “army of 10,000 men” to wage “jihad” on the streets of New York City. The photo, shared online this week, shows the socialist candidate smiling beside the imam, who years ago was accused of making radical and inflammatory statements about Islam and America.
According to archived footage and reports, the imam — whose name has circulated in past FBI counterterrorism briefings — once said in a sermon: “I pray one day Allah will bless us to raise an army, and I’m serious about this.” The statement, made in the early 2000s, came amid growing tension following the 1993 World Trade Center bombing and sparked national scrutiny from both law enforcement and religious groups. Though he was never charged, the comments left a lasting stain on his public image.
Now, decades later, the same imam is again in the spotlight — this time because of his association with Zohran Mamdani, a progressive figure campaigning to bring “social justice and reform” to New York City politics. The image of the two standing side by side, both smiling, has been described by critics as “tone-deaf” and “deeply concerning.” Many online commentators, including prominent conservatives, have demanded that Mamdani explain why he chose to appear with someone whose past remarks invoked violence in America’s largest city.
Sources close to Mamdani’s campaign told The Post that the photo was taken during a community event earlier this month, insisting that it was not an endorsement of the imam’s past rhetoric but rather a moment of engagement with local faith leaders. However, the controversy has already grown beyond campaign control, with political rivals using the image to question Mamdani’s judgment and associations.
This is not the first time the imam has attracted media attention. Following 9/11, federal investigators quietly monitored his sermons for several years. He was also named as an unindicted co-conspirator in discussions surrounding the 1993 bombing investigation, although no formal charges were ever brought. His son was later accused of operating a radical youth camp promoting militant ideologies before being shut down by authorities.
For Mamdani, who has been running on a platform of inclusion and reform, the timing could not be worse. The mayoral race has tightened in recent weeks, and opponents are already seizing on the incident as proof that his politics are “dangerously naive.” While Mamdani’s team has refrained from commenting directly on the imam’s background, they have emphasized his commitment to representing all New Yorkers — regardless of faith or background.
Political analysts note that this controversy echoes similar moments in recent elections, where photographs or public appearances have reignited debates about extremism, free speech, and political accountability. For now, Mamdani’s campaign appears focused on damage control, but the fallout could deepen if opponents push for further scrutiny.
The imam himself has defended his past remarks in interviews, claiming they were taken “out of context” and insisting his message was one of empowerment, not violence. Still, the resurfacing of his old sermon — combined with his public reemergence alongside a leading political candidate — has reignited concerns about radical influence in American politics.
As the story continues to unfold, New Yorkers remain divided — some calling it a non-issue rooted in selective outrage, others seeing it as a serious warning sign about the kind of alliances being normalized in city politics. One thing is certain: the photo has brought new intensity to a race already filled with controversy and ideological clashes.
