NYC first lady Rama Duwaji jetting off to Islamic calligraphy retreat in Europe
New York Post • • world
Key Points:
- Rama Duwaji, wife of NYC Mayor Zohran Mamdani, is attending her third Islamic-centered women's retreat in Europe this year, specifically the "Journey through Islamic Calligraphy" in Porto, Portugal, scheduled for September.
- The retreat, organized by The Women Sanctuary, combines spiritual wellness activities, artistic workshops, and leisure time in a countryside manor, with prices ranging from $4,300 to $5,260 per participant.
- Critics, including local politicians, have condemned Duwaji's frequent international trips, arguing that her time would be better spent on charitable work benefiting New Yorkers.
- Duwaji has a history of controversial statements, including anti-US and anti-Israel rhetoric, and recently attended other retreats in Spain and France focused on Islamic spirituality and heritage.
- Mayor Mamdani has defended his wife, emphasizing she is not a public official and should not be subject to political scrutiny; Duwaji plans to visit Lebanon and Syria in September despite US travel advisories against those countries.
