The New York City mayoral race has taken an unexpected turn, as new reporting sheds light on the international connections of candidate Zohran Mamdani’s family.
At just 33, Mamdani captured headlines when he defeated Andrew Cuomo to secure the Democratic nomination, promoting bold progressive policies and stirring debate over his stance on Israel.
Now, scrutiny is turning to his filmmaker mother, Mira Nair, whose career has received significant funding from Qatar, a country with historical ties to Hamas.
Mira Nair’s Ties to Qatar Raise Eyebrows
According to reporting by the New York Post, Nair has received millions from Sheikha Al-Mayassa bint Hamad Al-Thani, the sister of Qatar’s ruling emir, and the cultural institutions she oversees.
The support dates back to 2019 and includes funding for films, educational initiatives, and theater projects.
Sheikha Al-Thani has even publicly promoted Mamdani’s campaign on social media, sharing updates about his poll numbers and engaging with posts featuring the mother-son duo.
Qatar’s Controversial Role on the World Stage
Qatar is a constitutional monarchy and has a long history of engaging politically with Hamas, including acting as a mediator during ceasefire negotiations with Israel.
Hamas, classified as a terrorist organization by the U.S. since 1997, seized power in Gaza in 2007 and launched the deadly October 7, 2023, attack on Israel, killing over 1,000 and taking hundreds hostage.
Despite the scrutiny, Mamdani told the Post he has never visited Qatar and has not received any funds from the country.
Campaign spokesperson Dora Pekec dismissed the focus on Nair’s career, calling it “an insult to voters who care about actual issues, not manufactured distractions.”
A Career Supported by Doha’s Film Institutions
Nair’s film work has been closely linked with Qatar’s cultural initiatives.
Her 2009 film Amelia opened the inaugural Doha Tribeca Film Festival, organized by the Doha Film Institute under Sheikha Al-Thani.
The institute also co-sponsored a training program for aspiring filmmakers through Nair’s Maisha Film Labs in East Africa and Doha.
In addition, the Doha Film Institute financed the $15 million budget of her 2012 film The Reluctant Fundamentalist and has collaborated with her on stage adaptations, including a production of her Golden Globe-nominated Monsoon Wedding during the 2022 World Cup, an event criticized for human rights violations involving migrant workers.
Financial Links and Business Ventures
Further investigation revealed that a company Nair established in India conducted over $100,000 in business with Agence Publics Qatar in 2022 and 2023.
This firm shares leadership with Qatar Engineering & Construction Co., a major state-affiliated company.
These connections have fueled questions about potential influence and ties, though no direct financial support to Mamdani himself has been reported.
Mamdani’s Progressive Agenda
Mamdani, currently a member of the New York State Legislature, has campaigned on a far-reaching progressive platform.
He proposes raising $9 billion in taxes on millionaires and corporations to fund fare-free buses, free childcare, and housing initiatives.
He also wants to invest $65 million in transgender care, expand city-owned grocery stores, and has controversially advocated for defunding the NYPD.
His stance on Israel has been another flashpoint, including statements calling Israel’s military campaign in Gaza a “genocide” and proposing Israel exist as “a state with equal rights” rather than a strictly “Jewish state.”
A Campaign in the Spotlight
As the mayoral race heats up, Mamdani’s progressive policies and family connections are drawing national attention.
With voters weighing his ambitious agenda alongside the controversy surrounding his mother’s international funding, the campaign is shaping up to be one of the most closely watched in recent New York history.
