Zohran Mamdani, a leading NYC mayoral candidate, was photographed smiling and arm-in-arm with Imam Siraj Wahhaj at Wahhaj's Brooklyn mosque, sparking controversy given Wahhaj's extremist background.

Imam Wahhaj, aged 75, is an unindicted co-conspirator in the 1993 World Trade Center bombing, which resulted in six deaths, and has publicly defended the plotters and extremist views.

Wahhaj's extremist beliefs include denouncing the LGBTQ community as a 'disease' and advocating for violence against homosexuals, with sermons suggesting they should be killed.

Critics highlight concerns over Mamdani's association with Wahhaj, portraying it as a threat to public safety and social values, especially given Wahhaj's history of extremist statements.

FBI agents Frank Pellegrino and John Anticev criticized Mamdani's association with Wahhaj, calling it a sign of ignorance and endorsement of radical ideology.

Mamdani's family background includes his father Mahmood Mamdani, a scholar known for defending suicide bombings and praising Ugandan dictator Idi Amin, indicating a history of radical views.

Despite Wahhaj's links to terrorism and opposition to LGBTQ rights, Mamdani publicly promoted his association with Wahhaj on social media, describing him as a respected Muslim leader.

Mamdani has refused to fully endorse Israel as a Jewish state and has not condemned slogans like 'globalize the intifada,' raising concerns among Jewish groups.

Critics, including Republican Curtis Sliwa, argue Mamdani's relationship with Wahhaj disqualifies him and poses a security risk, emphasizing the need for a mayor opposed to terrorism.

Wahhaj's children were arrested for living in deplorable conditions on a compound in New Mexico, where they were allegedly trained in combat; Wahhaj claims he called police on his own children.

Wahhaj, an unindicted co-conspirator in the 1993 bombing, has a long record of advocating Islamic law, denouncing the U.S., defending terrorist attacks, and promoting anti-Western sentiments.

Wahhaj has a history of extreme statements, including calling for a jihad in New York City and promoting anti-LGBTQ rhetoric, as well as advocating for a Muslim army to march through NYC.