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

Nypost · 🇮🇱 public Israel · May 22, 2026 · 756 words · By Anna Young

Political legitimacy Anti-Semitism/Terrorism Israel-Palestine Conflict

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What to know about Political legitimacy

Mamdani met with radical anti-Israel sheikh multiple times — after he praised Hamas’ attack for inspiring ‘great change’ See more of our coverage in your search results.

Claims checked 13

Techniques found 4

Topics 3

Coverage spectrum

Coverage gap: Low Left coverage

Left0%

Center88%

Right12%

8 sources compared across this story cluster. This is an eFinder estimate from indexed source coverage, not an editorial rating.

What happened

Mamdani met with radical anti-Israel sheikh multiple times — after he praised Hamas’ attack for inspiring ‘great change’ See more of our coverage in your search results.

Why it matters

Add The New York Post on GoogleMayor Zohran Mamdani has reportedly forged a bond with a radical anti-Israel sheikh, meeting with him multiple times in the Big Apple – despite the Muslim cleric publicly lauding Hamas’ horrific Oct.

Common ground

7 attack on Israel for inspiring “great change” for the world.

Perspective signals

The tension in the story is sharpened by Loaded Language, Name Calling / Labeling, Smears: language that can make the dispute feel more urgent, personal, or adversarial than the underlying facts alone.

Follow-up questions

What new context would change how readers understand this Political legitimacy story?
What evidence would most clearly confirm or weaken the claim that the mayor’s latest in February when he celebrated Ramadan at the cleric’s Jamaica mosque?
How does this story connect Political legitimacy with Anti-Semitism/Terrorism over the next few days?

open_in_new Read the original article: https://nypost.com/2026/05/22/us-news/mamdani-met-with-radical-anti-israel-sheik…

psychologyPropaganda Techniques Detected

eFinder identified 4 propaganda techniques in this article. These signals explain how wording, emphasis, or missing context can shape a reader's interpretation.

warning

Loaded Language 100% confidence

Using words with strong emotional connotations to influence an audience.

Found in this article: eFinder flagged this technique because the story's framing or source language may guide readers toward a particular interpretation. Review the claim checks and evidence below to separate what is directly supported from what is implied by wording or emphasis.

Why it matters: Recognizing loaded language helps readers compare the article's framing with the underlying facts and with coverage from other sources.

warning

Name Calling / Labeling 90% confidence

Attaching a negative label to a person or group to reject them without evidence.

Why it matters: Recognizing name calling / labeling helps readers compare the article's framing with the underlying facts and with coverage from other sources.

warning

Smears 80% confidence

Using damaging allegations to undermine a person's reputation.

Why it matters: Recognizing smears helps readers compare the article's framing with the underlying facts and with coverage from other sources.

warning

Guilt by Association 85% confidence

Discrediting an idea by linking it to a disliked group or person.

Why it matters: Recognizing guilt by association helps readers compare the article's framing with the underlying facts and with coverage from other sources.

fact_checkClaims Checked

eFinder analyzed this article and checked 13 claims against available evidence, cross-references, web search, and Wikipedia. Here is what the fact-checking layer found.

info Single Source 6

schedule Pending 3

help Insufficient Evidence 2

check_circle Corroborated 2

info

Claim 1: “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

travel_explore

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

travel_explore

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

Claim 2: “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…

help

Claim 3: “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.

info

Claim 4: ““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

travel_explore

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…

travel_explore

web search NEUTRAL — Sheikh Maan Al-Sahlani. Imam Al-Khoei Foundation, NY. • Плейлист • 20 видео • 507 просмотров.
https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLqDPWdphmbWdOLRXlCqmP…

schedule

Claim 5: “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.”

PENDING

This claim was extracted as a checkable statement from the article. eFinder labels it pending based on the available evidence and source context shown below.

schedule

Claim 6: “she apologized in April for the “hurt” caused by alarming social media posts”

PENDING

This claim was extracted as a checkable statement from the article. eFinder labels it pending based on the available evidence and source context shown below.

info

Claim 7: “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.

travel_explore

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Claim 8: “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.

travel_explore

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…

travel_explore

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…

schedule

Claim 9: “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

This claim was extracted as a checkable statement from the article. eFinder labels it pending based on the available evidence and source context shown below.

info

Claim 10: “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

travel_explore

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

info

Claim 11: “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

check_circle

Claim 12: “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 · 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…

help

Claim 13: “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.

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.