Backlash follows Mamdani gifting 9/11 pen to lawyer of al-Qaida affiliate
New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani is facing heat for giving a commemorative 9/11 pen to his lead attorney, Ramzi Kassem. Kassem previously served as legal counsel for Ahmed al-Darbi, an al-Qaida associate and brother-in-law to one of the hijackers who struck the Pentagon. The act gained significant attention online as the 25th anniversary of the September 11 attacks approaches, drawing sharp criticism from groups representing victims. One person on X remarked that the move disrespects the legacy of the 9/11 tragedy.