NYC Mayor Hosts Dinner for Activist Mahmoud Khalil

Mamdani invites Khalil to Gracie Mansion for Iftar, drawing criticism from conservatives

Published on Mar. 10, 2026

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New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani hosted an iftar dinner at Gracie Mansion on Sunday, the one-year anniversary of the arrest of activist Mahmoud Khalil. Mamdani and Khalil, who were previously allies over the plight of Palestinians, have developed a friendly rapport, with Khalil attending Mamdani's victory party and inauguration. The dinner drew criticism from conservatives who accused Mamdani of embracing someone accused of sympathizing with extremists.

Why it matters

The dinner highlights the growing relationship between Mamdani and Khalil, who have bonded over their shared Muslim faith and immigrant backgrounds, as well as their advocacy for Palestinian rights. It also underscores the political tensions Mamdani faces as a progressive mayor, with conservatives criticizing his support for Khalil, who was detained under the Trump administration's crackdown on pro-Palestinian protesters.

The details

Mamdani and Khalil, along with their wives, shared the iftar dinner at Gracie Mansion, breaking the daily fast of Ramadan. Mamdani shared a photo of the event on social media, recounting Khalil's ordeal of being arrested by federal agents after an iftar dinner and held for months, missing the birth of his son. Mamdani has asked President Trump to drop the deportation case against Khalil, who remains unable to obtain work and wary of taking his son out alone.

  • On Sunday, Mamdani and Khalil shared an iftar dinner at Gracie Mansion, breaking the daily fast of Ramadan.
  • The dinner was held on the first anniversary of Khalil's arrest.

The players

Zohran Mamdani

The mayor of New York City, who has developed a friendly rapport with Mahmoud Khalil and has advocated for his release.

Mahmoud Khalil

An activist who was detained under President Trump's crackdown for his role in pro-Palestinian protests at Columbia University, and who remains unable to obtain work and wary of taking his son out alone.

Rama Duwaji

The first lady of New York City, who was present at the iftar dinner.

Noor Abdalla

The wife of Mahmoud Khalil, who was present at the iftar dinner.

Deen

The son of Mahmoud Khalil, who was present at the iftar dinner.

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What they’re saying

“For Mahmoud Khalil, this past year has been marked by profound hardship — and by profound courage.”

— 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)

“No one should be feting the anti-American, pro-terrorist activities of Mahmoud Khalil, who made his name as a ringleader of violent anti-American and antisemitic university protests that harmed American foreign policy interests.”

— Anna Kelly, Spokeswoman for the White House (Statement)

“My New York City. My neighbor Mahmoud. My mayor Zohran.”

— Diana Moreno, New York State Assemblywoman (Social media)

What’s next

The judge in Khalil's case will decide on Tuesday whether or not to allow him out on bail.

The takeaway

The dinner at Gracie Mansion highlights the growing relationship between Mayor Mamdani and activist Khalil, who have bonded over their shared Muslim faith and immigrant backgrounds, as well as their advocacy for Palestinian rights. However, this relationship has drawn criticism from conservatives, underscoring the political tensions Mamdani faces as a progressive mayor.