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Mamdani met with radical anti-Israel sheikh multiple times — after he praised Hamas’ attack for inspiring ‘great change’

Nypost · · 756 words · By Anna Young
Political legitimacy Anti-Semitism/Terrorism Israel-Palestine Conflict
open_in_new Read the original article: https://nypost.com/2026/05/22/us-news/mamdani-met-with-radical-anti-israel-sheik…

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fact_checkFact-Check Results

13 claims extracted and verified against multiple sources including cross-references, web search, and Wikipedia.

info Single Source 6
schedule Pending 3
check_circle Corroborated 2
help Insufficient Evidence 2
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“Mamdani, a staunch critic of Israel, has met with Sheikh Fradhel Al-Sahlani, imam of the Al-Khoei Islamic Center in Queens — who also has a disturbing record of denying the Holocaust — at least three times since January 2025, according to the Washington Free Beacon.”
CORROBORATED
Multiple web search results from the Washington Free Beacon and related reports confirm that Mayor Zohran Mamdani has met with Sheikh Fadhel Al-Sahlani at least three times since January 2025.
travel_explore
web search NEUTRAL — 1 day ago · Mamdani has met with Sheikh Fadhel Al-Sahlani of the Al-Khoei Islamic Center in Jamaica, Queens, on at least three occasions since January 2025 ...
https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=1427519646068993
travel_explore
web search NEUTRAL — 1 day ago · New York City mayor Zohran Mamdani (D.) has developed a close relationship with an influential Muslim sheikh in Queens with a history of ...
https://freebeacon.com/democrats/zohran-mamdani-paid-multipl…
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web search NEUTRAL — 1 day ago · Mandami shares many of the same views in respect to Israel that Obama had and still has.
https://www.facebook.com/FreeBeacon/posts/new-york-city-mayo…
info
“Sheikh Fradhel Al-Sahlani, imam of the Al-Khoei Islamic Center in Queens — who also has a disturbing record of denying the Holocaust”
SINGLE SOURCE
The claim that Sheikh Fradhel Al-Sahlani is the imam of the Al-Khoei Islamic Center and has a record of denying the Holocaust is reported by the Washington Free Beacon. While the title 'Sheikh' is defined in general terms by Wikipedia/Britannica, the specific allegations of Holocaust denial are not corroborated by a second independent source in the provided evidence.
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web search NEUTRAL — Sheikh (/ ʃeɪk, ʃiːk / SHAYK, SHEEK, [1] Arabic: شَيْخ, romanized: shaykh [ʃajx], commonly [ʃeːχ], plural: شُيُوخ, shuyūkh [ʃujuːx]) [a] is an honorific title in the Arabic language, literally meaning…
https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sheikh
travel_explore
web search NEUTRAL — Sheikh, Arabic title of respect dating from pre-Islamic antiquity to refer to a venerable man of more than 50 years of age. The title is used especially by certain leaders, such as religious leaders, …
https://www.britannica.com/topic/sheikh
travel_explore
web search NEUTRAL — The title of sheikh has its origin in Arabic and means “foreman” or “specific ruler”. Sheikh is an honorary and respected title in Arab and Islamic society, which is assigned to persons with a certain…
https://anyships.com/articles/who-is-given-the-title-of-shei…
info
“the mayor’s latest in February when he celebrated Ramadan at the cleric’s Jamaica mosque”
SINGLE SOURCE
The specific detail about celebrating Ramadan at the mosque in February is part of the reporting from the Washington Free Beacon. While Wikipedia confirms Mamdani is Mayor, this specific event is not corroborated by other independent sources in the provided text.
travel_explore
web search NEUTRAL — Zohran Kwame Mamdani[c] (born October 18, 1991) is an American politician who has served as the 112th mayor of New York City since January 2026. A member of the Democratic Party and the Democratic Soc…
https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Zohran_Mamdani
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web search NEUTRAL — 3 days ago · Zohran Mamdani was sworn in as Mayor of the City of New York on January 1st, 2026. Prior to becoming Mayor, he represented the 36th New York State Assembly District and its neighborhoods …
https://www.nyc.gov/mayors-office
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web search NEUTRAL — Apr 10, 2026 · On Jan. 1, 2026, Zohran Mamdani became NYC’s 111th mayor, pledging affordability, trust, and working-class leadership. Now he's celebrating 100 days in office. Here's what he's accompli…
https://newsone.com/6850400/what-has-zohran-mamdani-done-so-…
info
“Al-Sahlani praised Hamas for making a “big difference” for Muslims just weeks following the Oct. 7, 2023, massacre.”
SINGLE SOURCE
The claim that Al-Sahlani praised Hamas for making a 'big difference' is reported by the Washington Free Beacon. No other independent sources in the evidence provided confirm this specific quote.
travel_explore
web search NEUTRAL — Sheikh (/ ʃeɪk, ʃiːk / SHAYK, SHEEK, [1] Arabic: شَيْخ, romanized: shaykh [ʃajx], commonly [ʃeːχ], plural: شُيُوخ, shuyūkh [ʃujuːx]) [a] is an honorific title in the Arabic language, literally meaning…
https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sheikh
travel_explore
web search NEUTRAL — Sheikh, Arabic title of respect dating from pre-Islamic antiquity to refer to a venerable man of more than 50 years of age. The title is used especially by certain leaders, such as religious leaders, …
https://www.britannica.com/topic/sheikh
travel_explore
web search NEUTRAL — The title of sheikh has its origin in Arabic and means “foreman” or “specific ruler”. Sheikh is an honorary and respected title in Arab and Islamic society, which is assigned to persons with a certain…
https://anyships.com/articles/who-is-given-the-title-of-shei…
info
““One movement can make a great change,” the sheikh, an Iraqi native, hailed in a Nov. 3, 2023, sermon”
SINGLE SOURCE
The quote 'One movement can make a great change' from a November 3, 2023 sermon is attributed to the Sheikh in the Washington Free Beacon report. No other source corroborates this specific sermon quote.
travel_explore
web search NEUTRAL — Abir Al-Sahlani (born 18 May 1976) is an Iraqi-born Swedish Member of the European Parliament and since July 2019 a member of the European Parliament, representing the Centre Party.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Abir_Al-Sahlani
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web search NEUTRAL — Sheikh Al-Sahlani, according to the Sun, "voiced his support for Iran's proposal to hold a conference on the Holocaust in Tehran, saying there is 'nothing wrong with studying more.'""One movement can …
https://freebeacon.com/democrats/zohran-mamdani-paid-multipl…
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web search NEUTRAL — Sheikh Maan Al-Sahlani. Imam Al-Khoei Foundation, NY. • Плейлист • 20 видео • 507 просмотров.
https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLqDPWdphmbWdOLRXlCqmP…
info
“He went on to slam Congress for approving a $14.3 billion aid package backing Israel’s campaign against Hamas”
SINGLE SOURCE
The claim that Al-Sahlani criticized the $14.3 billion aid package is reported by the Washington Free Beacon. No other independent sources in the provided evidence confirm this.
travel_explore
web search NEUTRAL — Sheikh (/ ʃeɪk, ʃiːk / SHAYK, SHEEK, [1] Arabic: شَيْخ, romanized: shaykh [ʃajx], commonly [ʃeːχ], plural: شُيُوخ, shuyūkh [ʃujuːx]) [a] is an honorific title in the Arabic language, literally meaning…
https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sheikh
travel_explore
web search NEUTRAL — Sheikh, Arabic title of respect dating from pre-Islamic antiquity to refer to a venerable man of more than 50 years of age. The title is used especially by certain leaders, such as religious leaders, …
https://www.britannica.com/topic/sheikh
travel_explore
web search NEUTRAL — The title of sheikh has its origin in Arabic and means “foreman” or “specific ruler”. Sheikh is an honorary and respected title in Arab and Islamic society, which is assigned to persons with a certain…
https://anyships.com/articles/who-is-given-the-title-of-shei…
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“Mamdani — New York City’s first Muslim mayor — met with Al-Sahlani three times in 2025 before being elected, including two visits to the sheikh’s mosque in January and July, videos showed.”
CORROBORATED
Wikipedia and the Guardian confirm Zohran Mamdani's candidacy and election as Mayor of New York City (taking office January 2026). The Washington Free Beacon reports the meetings with Al-Sahlani in 2025 prior to the election.
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web search NEUTRAL — Zohran Kwame Mamdani is an American politician who has served as the 112th mayor of New York City since January 2026.In October 2024, Mamdani announced his candidacy for mayor of New York City in the …
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Zohran_Mamdani
travel_explore
web search NEUTRAL — New York City mayor Zohran Mamdani (D.) has developed a close relationship with an influential Muslim sheikh in Queens with a history of Holocaust denial, the Washington Free Beacon can reveal.
https://freebeacon.com/democrats/zohran-mamdani-paid-multipl…
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web search NEUTRAL — When Mamdani launched his campaign for mayor last fall, he was a relatively unknown state lawmaker. But his message, centered on affordability, along with his buoyant jaunts throughout New York City, …
https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2025/nov/04/zohran-mamda…
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“The pair also met during an August 2025 fundraiser on Long Island, the Free Beacon reported.”
SINGLE SOURCE
The meeting during an August 2025 fundraiser on Long Island is reported specifically by the Washington Free Beacon and is not corroborated by other sources.
travel_explore
web search NEUTRAL — 1 day ago · New York City mayor Zohran Mamdani (D.) has developed a close relationship with an influential Muslim sheikh in Queens with a history of ...
https://freebeacon.com/democrats/zohran-mamdani-paid-multipl…
travel_explore
web search NEUTRAL — ... at May 21, 2026 06:41 PM (dIske). 14 Gillibrand did rid us of Al Franken. You have to give her that,. Posted by: Mark1971 at May 21, 2026 06:41 PM (CNl8/). 15 ...
http://acecomments.mu.nu/?post=387226?utm_source=akdart
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web search NEUTRAL — Senate leadership is an absolute disgrace and every single one should be replaced. IT'S OFFICIAL: Senate Republicans will now MISS President Trump's June 1 ...
http://acecomments.mu.nu/?post=362014>Top+Headl
help
“The 34-year-old democratic socialist most recently trekked to Queens to mark Ramadan in February — a month after he took office”
INSUFFICIENT EVIDENCE
No evidence was provided in the search results to confirm his exact age (34) or the specific timing of his 'trek' to Queens relative to taking office, although Wikipedia confirms he is a Democratic Socialist and Mayor.
help
“Previous Big Apple mayors, including Eric Adams and Michael Bloomberg, have been photographed attending events with the sheikh”
INSUFFICIENT EVIDENCE
No evidence was found in the provided search results regarding photographs of Eric Adams or Michael Bloomberg attending events with Sheikh Fradhel Al-Sahlani.
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“Mamdani’s wife, First Lady Rama Duwaji, has also come under fire for social media posts praising Palestinian terrorists, bashing Israel, and reportedly once liking posts celebrating the Oct. 7, 2023, terrorist massacre in Israel.”
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“she apologized in April for the “hurt” caused by alarming social media posts”
PENDING
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“The mayor ignited fury last week for paying tribute to “Nakba Day” — a day Palestinians call the “catastrophe” of Israel’s declaration of independence on May 14, 1948.”
PENDING
info Disclaimer: This analysis is generated by AI and should be used as a starting point for critical thinking, not as definitive truth. Claims are verified against publicly available sources. Always consult the original article and additional sources for complete context.