(DCNF)—Democratic New York City mayoral frontrunner Zohran Mamdani appeared arm-in-arm Friday with a Muslim cleric linked to the architects of the 1993 World Trade Center bombing and other terror plots.
Prosecutors had named Imam Siraj Wahhaj — who previously called for an Islamic state in America — among dozens “who may be alleged to be co-conspirators” in the trial of several men convicted of planning a terrorism campaign which included the 1993 World Trade Center attack. The attack killed six people and injured more than 1,000 others.
Despite Wahhaj’s history, the socialist Muslim mayoral candidate visited his Brooklyn-based mosque and described Wahhaj as a “pillar” of the community.
”Today at Masjid At-Taqwa, I had the pleasure of meeting with Imam Siraj Wahhaj, one of the nation’s foremost Muslim leaders and a pillar of the Bed-Stuy community for nearly half a century,” Mamdani wrote Friday on X.
Today at Masjid At-Taqwa, I had the pleasure of meeting with Imam Siraj Wahhaj, one of the nation’s foremost Muslim leaders and a pillar of the Bed-Stuy community for nearly half a century. I was also joined by CM @dr_yusefsalaam of Harlem. A beautiful Jummah. pic.twitter.com/4kcN4CGlUk
— Zohran Kwame Mamdani (@ZohranKMamdani) October 18, 2025
Three children of Wahhaj were sentenced to life in prison in 2024 on charges including terrorism, kidnapping, and conspiracy to murder for organizing a jihadist training compound in New Mexico authorities say was used to plot attacks against the U.S. government. Wahhaj told reporters he helped police find the training compound by reporting its location to the authorities.
Wahhaj served as a character witness in 1995 for Omar Abdel-Rahman, a cleric who later served a life sentence, according to media reports and court documents. Prosecutors said Abdel-Rahman helped orchestrate plans to murder hundreds of Americans, attack a U.S. military installation, and assassinate Egypt’s president at the time.
Wahhaj testified he had met Abdel-Rahman on multiple times and described him as a “respected scholar.” By that time, Abdel-Rahman had already founded an Egyptian militant group which the State Department later designated a terrorist organization.
Several people connected to the World Trade Center bombing also attended or visited Wahhaj’s Brooklyn mosque around the time of the massacre.
“In time, this so-called democracy will crumble, and there will be nothing. And the only thing that will remain will be Islam,” Wahhaj once said in a sermon, according to The Wall Street Journal.
Wahhaj posted an Instagram video on June 16 endorsing Mamdani for mayor and calling him a “very good candidate.” Moreover, Wahhaj contributed $1,000 to the super PAC Unity and Justice Fund, just days before it funneled most of its money to a PAC solely backing Mamdani’s mayoral bid, the Daily Caller News Foundation previously reported.
Mamdani currently leads the New York City mayoral race with 52% support among likely voters, followed by disgraced former New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo, who is running as an Independent, at 28% and Republican mayoral nominee Curtis Sliwa at 14%, according to an Oct. 16 Beacon Research/Shaw & Company Research survey.
Mamdani’s campaign did not immediately respond to the DCNF’s request for comment. Wahhaj also could not be reached for comment.
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Why the National Debt Is the Looming Threat to Your Retirement Plans
The Hidden Crisis No One Is Talking About
Every day, headlines warn about inflation, market volatility, and global instability—but the greatest looming threat to your retirement might be something far more fundamental: America’s skyrocketing national debt.
You can learn more about how the national debt affects you by reading this 3-minute report titled, “Debt Will Hit $40T in 2026: Prepare Your Retirement Now“.
With debt growing faster than most Americans can possibly fathom, the government’s borrowing habits have reached historic—and dangerous—levels. To cover spending, Washington is making moves with their budget packages, tariffs, and taxes. Is it enough? No. It’s not even close to what would be necessary to stop out-of-control debt, let alone reverse it.
How Debt Erodes Your Nest Egg
There are only so many levers government and the Federal Reserve can pull to try to protect Americans, assuming that’s even a top priority for them. Unfortunately, pulling one level to relive one pressure invariably adds pressure from another direction. This is why prices keep going up even as inflation reportedly slows.
For retirees and pre-retirees, that’s a perfect storm. The dollars you’ve worked hard to save lose value, and your cost of living increases while your investments lag behind.
If you’re relying solely on paper-based assets—stocks, bonds, or mutual funds—you’re essentially tied to the same system that’s creating the problem. It’s a system that was designed to work well in the 20th century, not in today’s world with people living longer and the dollar rapidly losing value.
This is why the 3-minute report, “Debt Will Hit $40T in 2026: Prepare Your Retirement Now,” is so important.
The Precious Metals Hedge
Thousands of Americans are looking for a tangible, time-tested hedge: physical gold and silver.
Unlike paper assets, precious metals aren’t dependent on government policy or the stock market’s mood swings. They’re real, finite resources that have maintained value for thousands of years through wars, recessions, and inflationary periods.
In fact, during times of high inflation and fiscal instability, gold often performs its best—because it’s seen as a store of value when faith in the dollar weakens. This is why prices have skyrocketed this year and are expected by many economists to continue going up in the future.
Take Control with a Gold IRA
One of the most effective ways to protect your retirement from national debt fallout is through a self-directed Gold IRA. This IRS-approved account lets you hold physical gold and silver within your retirement portfolio, giving you:
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The Next Step: Secure Your Financial Future
Augusta Precious Metals has helped thousands of Americans with at least $50,000 to invest from their IRAs, 401(K)s, TSPs, and other retirement accounts safeguard their savings through precious metals.
If you’re concerned about what the rising national debt could mean for your future, now is the time to act.
Read this 3-minute report titled, “Debt Will Hit $40T in 2026: Prepare Your Retirement Now“ and learn the simple steps you can take to protect your retirement.