Mamdani Wife, First Lady Rama Duwaji, Traveling To Syria, Lebanon, With Taxpayer-Funded NYPD Security Detail: Sources

New York City First Lady Rama Duwaji is scheduled to travel to Syria and Lebanon next month with an NYPD security detail funded by taxpayers, according to reporting. Both countries remain on the US State Department's "Do Not Travel" List due to ongoing security concerns.

Duwaji is set to depart on September 20 to visit the region. According to sources, she requested police protection for this trip after traveling overseas the previous month without an NYPD security detail.

The 29-year-old Syrian-American artist has family ties to the region. Her parents are Syrian Muslims originally from Damascus, and she describes herself professionally as a "Syrian Illustrator."

The mayor's office confirmed the trip and the security assignment. "Upon the strong recommendation of the NYPD, the First Lady's security detail will be joining her when she travels to visit family in Syria and Lebanon," Said mayoral spokesperson Dora Pekec. City Hall declined to provide further details about the itinerary or the trip's purpose beyond family visits. A source familiar with the plans characterized the journey as entirely personal and unrelated to city business.

Former New York State Assemblyman Dov Hikind, founder of Americans Against Antisemitism, criticized the decision to deploy NYPD officers to conflict zones. "We're putting the police officers in danger. They will be viewed as the bad guys. These are war zones," Hikind said. He also argued that "Duwaji doesn't need security. She will get a hero's welcome and be protected by Hezbollah, Hamas and the Houthis."

Duwaji has participated in international art and activist events, including a 2019 residency in Beirut and retreats organized by Women Sanctuary, a travel organization for Muslim women. She is known for pro-Palestinian activism alongside her husband, Mayor Zohran Mamdani. Following the October 7, 2023 Hamas attack on Israel, reports emerged regarding her social media activity, including curated Spotify playlists and liked posts related to the conflict. A New York magazine profile before Mamdani took office highlighted controversial past social media posts by Duwaji, including a 2015 post about Tel Aviv and a post containing a racial slur. In April, she issued an apology for the "hurt" Caused by past online posts. Duwaji has also been active with the Democratic Socialists of America, producing artwork for its New York City chapter during campaigns focused on Palestinian issues and Israel policy.