NYC Mayor Hosts Anti-Israel Activist for Ramadan Dinner at Gracie Mansion

Mamdani welcomed Mahmoud Khalil, his wife, and their son to the mayoral residence to break fast together.

Published on Mar. 10, 2026

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New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani hosted controversial anti-Israel activist Mahmoud Khalil, his wife Noor, and their young son Deen for a Ramadan dinner at Gracie Mansion on Sunday. Mamdani shared a photo of the gathering on Instagram, noting it was a chance to mark the one-year anniversary of Khalil's detention by ICE. Khalil, a Syrian-born activist and former Columbia University graduate student, was arrested last year and faces deportation after the Trump administration accused him of committing fraud on his green card application.

Why it matters

Mamdani has been a vocal defender of Khalil, who the Trump administration claims is a Hamas supporter. The mayor sees Khalil's case as part of a broader attack on free speech, especially when it comes to criticizing Israel's policies. The dinner at Gracie Mansion highlights the political tensions around immigration and the Israeli-Palestinian conflict.

The details

Khalil, a Syrian-born activist and former Columbia University graduate student, was arrested by ICE early last year and faces deportation. The Trump administration is using a rarely deployed statute that allows for noncitizens to be deported if their beliefs can pose a threat to US foreign policy interests. Khalil spent three months in a Louisiana federal lockup before a three-judge panel in New Jersey ruled in June that he should have been allowed to work through the immigration process.

  • Khalil was arrested by ICE in early 2025.
  • The dinner at Gracie Mansion took place on Sunday, March 9, 2026.
  • The dinner marked the one-year anniversary of Khalil's detention.

The players

Zohran Mamdani

The mayor of New York City who hosted the Ramadan dinner at Gracie Mansion and has been a vocal defender of Mahmoud Khalil.

Mahmoud Khalil

A Syrian-born activist and former Columbia University graduate student who was arrested by ICE and faces deportation after the Trump administration accused him of committing fraud on his green card application.

Noor

Mahmoud Khalil's wife who attended the Ramadan dinner at Gracie Mansion with her husband and son.

Deen

The young son of Mahmoud Khalil and Noor who attended the Ramadan dinner at Gracie Mansion with his parents.

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What they’re saying

“Last night, as we marked the one year anniversary of his detention, Rama and I were honored to welcome Mahmoud, Noor, and their son Deen to Gracie Mansion to break our fast together.”

— Zohran Mamdani, Mayor of New York City (Instagram)

“For Mahmoud Khalil, this past year has been marked by profound hardship—and by profound courage. And yet, even in the face of that cruelty, there has also been beauty. New Yorkers raising their voices in solidarity. A city refusing to look away. Mahmoud won his freedom, and a father was finally reunited with his child.”

— Zohran Mamdani, Mayor of New York City (Instagram)

“Mahmoud is a New Yorker, and he belongs in New York City.”

— Zohran Mamdani, Mayor of New York City (Instagram)

What’s next

The mayor's office has not announced any specific next steps regarding Mahmoud Khalil's case, but the mayor has vowed to continue defending Khalil and fighting against his deportation.

The takeaway

This incident highlights the ongoing political tensions around immigration, free speech, and the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. Mayor Mamdani's decision to host the controversial activist at Gracie Mansion for Ramadan reflects his commitment to supporting immigrant communities and defending those he sees as targets of unjust policies, even when it puts him at odds with the federal government.