Afaf Nasher is a civil-rights advocate and executive director of the New York chapter of the Council on American-Islamic Relations. A lawyer trained at St. John's University, she previously served as the chapter's board president.
Case
Rudy Giuliani, George Pataki, and some September 11 victims’ relatives opposed Zohran Mamdani attending the 2026 memorial, citing his rhetoric and associations. Mamdani said he would honor victims; other elected officials and a family group said excluding the sitting mayor would politicize the commemoration.
Role at the time: CAIR-New York executive director, quoted in CAIR's official release
Responding to
Should Zohran Mamdani attend New York City’s 9/11 memorial?
"He has a right and a duty to participate"
Direct defense of attendance in the mayoral role, not blanket approval of Mamdani's policies.
Statement dates: September 9, 2026
Statement dates: September 9, 2026
