Rama Duwaji, wife of New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani, is set to fly to Portugal for her third luxury Islamic women’s retreat this year. Duwaji will return as an “artist in residence” for The Women Sanctuary, an organization hosting the “Journey Through Islamic Calligraphy” retreat. Participation costs range from $4,300 for a shared room to $5,260 for a private room with bathroom.
1+“On some days we’ll explore Islam’s rich history and discover traces of an extraordinary heritage still woven into the landscape. On other days we’ll gather for a wonderful illustration workshop with our artist, Ramah Duwaji, and celebrate this heritage,” the retreat’s website states. This isn’t her first trip—just last month, Duwaji skipped America’s 250th Independence Day celebrations to join the organization for a “spiritual wellness” retreat on the Spanish resort island of Majorca.
Many have criticized the first lady’s conduct, including New York City Council member Joann Ariola of Queens, who told the New York Post that “former first ladies spent their time visiting schools and doing charity work.” She added cynically: “Being Zohran Mamdani’s wife must be very stressful, because this first lady is more interested in vacations than in issues affecting New Yorkers.”
1+Former city council member Bob Holden reinforced the criticism, arguing that the two “act like jet-setters when they’re supposed to be there for New York residents, but they’re anything but. She’s a good example of this administration’s hypocrisy.” The public criticism of Duwaji didn’t come out of nowhere—it’s backed by a history of radical statements and social media posts that have since been deleted.
According to a report from this past March, her old posts included praise for terrorist organizations and harsh attacks on U.S. military personnel. Among other things, she liked posts that glorified the October 7 massacre. Mayor Mamdani, who himself frequently criticizes Israel, claimed his wife shouldn’t be judged for her activity since she holds no official position in his administration.