NYC Mayor Mamdani Gives 9/11 Pen to Al-Qaeda Terrorist's Former Lawyer

New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani signed two executive orders on Friday, September 4, 2026, marking the city's official recognition of the 25th anniversary of the 9/11 Islamic terror attacks.

He then handed the ceremonial pen to his chief counsel, Ramzi Kassem. Kassem previously represented Ahmed al-Darbi, a Saudi al-Qaeda member who pleaded guilty to terrorism charges in the 2002 bombing of the French oil tanker MV Limburg. Al-Darbi's sister was married to Khalid al-Mihdhar, one of the five hijackers aboard American Airlines Flight 77, which struck the Pentagon.

Council Member Joann Ariola called Mamdani's choice breathtakingly tone-deaf and disrespectful, stating it shows exactly where his loyalties truly lie. Senator Rick Scott posted that Mamdani's actions are morally bankrupt. Retired detective Michael Alcazar told The New York Post that Mamdani's move was calculated. The first executive order establishes September 11 as an official New York City "Day of Remembrance and Service," including a citywide moment of silence.

The second order updates the city's emergency preparedness and continuity plans. Many 9/11 families plan to ignore Mamdani if he attends this year's memorial at Ground Zero, with over 98,000 people signing a petition asking organizers to keep him away.