Mamdani Under Fire Over 9/11 Ceremony Pen Given to Aide Who Represented Al Qaeda Operative

NEW YORK (VINnews) — Mayor Zohran Mamdani is facing criticism after handing a ceremonial pen used to sign two executive orders marking the 25th anniversary of the Sept. 11 attacks to his chief counsel, Ramzi Kassem, a lawyer who previously represented a Guantanamo detainee convicted in a terrorism case.

Mamdani signed the orders Friday at City Hall. One established Sept. 11 as an annual citywide Day of Remembrance and Service, while the other strengthened the city’s emergency preparedness and continuity plans.

After signing the orders, Mamdani handed the ceremonial pen to NYPD Commissioner Jessica Tisch and quietly asked her to pass it to Kassem, according to The New York Post. Kassem, who was not present for most of the ceremony, then received the pen.

Sick. https://t.co/8lp4mPTiCD

— Kalman Yeger (@KalmanYeger) September 6, 2026

Kassem previously represented Ahmed al-Darbi, who pleaded guilty to his role in a 2002 al-Qaida plot involving the bombing of the French oil tanker MV Limburg off Yemen. The attack killed one person and injured others. Kassem’s legal work also has included representing Guantanamo detainees and civil rights cases.

The gesture drew criticism from some 9/11 victims’ relatives, elected officials and former law enforcement officials, who said Kassem’s involvement was inappropriate for a ceremony honoring victims and first responders.

Dennis Warchola, whose brother Michael was a firefighter killed at the World Trade Center, criticized the decision in comments to The Post. Queens Council Member Joann Ariola also called the gesture disrespectful.

https://t.co/aOv9Ozaimh
Mayor Mamdani Signs Executive Orders Related to September 11th and Government Preparedness

— Mayor Zohran Kwame Mamdani (@NYCMayor) September 4, 2026

The mayor’s office said Kassem was involved in the ceremony because, as chief counsel, he and his team helped draft both executive orders. Kassem was appointed Mamdani’s chief counsel in January. CUNY School of Law described him as a civil rights and constitutional law attorney and founder of its CLEAR clinic.

Mamdani has separately emphasized that the anniversary should focus on the victims, survivors, first responders and families affected by the attacks. In remarks this week, he called Sept. 11 “the darkest day in our city’s history” and said the city has an obligation to remember those who were lost.

The controversy comes as New York prepares for the 25th anniversary of the attacks, which killed nearly 3,000 people and led to the deaths and illnesses of thousands of first responders and recovery workers.

The new citywide Day of Remembrance and Service will include moments of silence, memorial ceremonies, educational programs and opportunities for community service.

Mamdani Signed 9/11 Orders, Then Handed The Ceremonial Pen To The Lawyer Of An Al-Qaeda Terrorist Tied To Pentagon Hijacker

Chief Counsel Ramzi Kassem represented Ahmed al-Darbi, an al-Qaeda operative convicted in the 2002 French tanker bombing and held at GITMO. Al-Darbi’s… pic.twitter.com/8n9iioJMze

— Benny Johnson (@bennyjohnson) September 5, 2026