New York City Mayor Mamdani Faces Criticism Over 9/11 Pen Handoff

<p>New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani is facing backlash after giving a ceremonial pen from a 9/11 remembrance ceremony to a top aide who previously represented a convicted al Qaeda member whose brother-in-law hijacked the plane that struck the Pentagon.</p><p>Mamdani signed executive orders on September 6, 2026, ahead of the 25th anniversary of the September 11 attacks, designating the date a citywide day of remembrance and service, and strengthening efforts to prevent future terrorist threats.</p><p>After signing the final order, Mamdani handed the pen to NYPD Commissioner Jessica Tisch and asked her to pass it to chief counsel Ramzi Kassem. Kassem previously represented Ahmed al-Darbi, who pleaded guilty to war-crime charges related to al Qaeda plots against commercial ships and was the brother-in-law of Khalid al-Mihdhar, one of the hijackers aboard American Airlines Flight 77, which crashed into the Pentagon, killing 184.</p><p>The handoff drew criticism on social media, with users arguing that Kassem’s role in the ceremony distracted from an event meant to honor those killed in the attacks and the first responders who died trying to save them.</p><p>Podcaster Benny Johnson wrote on social media, "This is a slap in the face to victims ahead of the 25th anniversary of 9/11."</p><p>Former New York state Senate candidate Maria Danzilo expressed concern about the situation, stating, "I sincerely hope the rest of the country understands just how hard it is to be in New York City with this mayor, especially as we’re approaching this most serious and solemn day for NYC: 9/11."</p><p>Another user described it as a "deliberate gesture by Mamdani that undermines 9/11 yet again with impunity."</p><p>City Hall informed the New York Post that Kassem attended the ceremony because he and his team drafted both executive orders as part of his duties as chief counsel.</p><p>Kassem's role has drawn scrutiny due to his previous representation of Ahmed al-Darbi, a Guantánamo Bay detainee who pleaded guilty to war-crime charges related to al Qaeda plots, including the 2002 bombing of a French oil tanker off Yemen’s coast. Al-Darbi’s sister was married to Khalid al-Mihdhar, one of the hijackers aboard the plane that crashed into the Pentagon on September 11, 2001.</p><p>Kassem also founded a CUNY legal clinic that provides free representation to Muslims and represented Mahmoud Khalil, a leader of the pro-Palestinian encampment at Columbia University who was detained by Immigration and Customs Enforcement.</p><p>Mamdani's office did not immediately respond to requests for comment.</p>