Afaf Nasher
Role at the time: CAIR-New York executive director, quoted in CAIR's official release
Defended or excused
Responding to
Should Zohran Mamdani attend New York City’s 9/11 memorial?
"He has a right and a duty to participate"
Why we used this label
Direct defense of attendance in the mayoral role, not blanket approval of Mamdani's policies.
CAIR announces its designation of Giuliani and defends Mamdani's attendance (opens in a new tab) - Council on American-Islamic RelationsOpening designation announcement and Afaf Nasher statement immediately after Corey Saylor's quotation
CAIR's own announcement and attributed staff statements. The extremist designation is CAIR's characterization, not a governmental finding. September 9 is verified; noon UTC represents day precision because the displayed 12:12 pm lacks a timezone.