Mamdani pays tribute to 9/11 victims, heroes during interfaith walk ending at NYC Islamic center
Mayor Zohran Mamdani and New Yorkers of all faiths took part in a Manhattan 9/11 memorial walk Thursday evening, with stops at Christian, Jewish and Muslim places of worship — but Hizzoner only joined for the final stop at an Islamic center.A crowd of over 100 people joined the Children of Abraham Peace Walk, an interfaith walk begun a year after the Sept.
11, 2001 terrorist attacks to honor those killed, on the eve of the 25th anniversary to stand in solidarity.The peace walk was created for people to “come together to remember those we’ve lost, and to recommit to our shared vision of safety in solidarity,” according to an online flyer.Mamdani, however, only came for the end of the commemoration at the Islamic Center of New York City, amid ongoing calls for him to skip 9/11 ceremonies altogether. The group had started at the Hebrew Union College before stopping by Judson Church and finishing up at the Islamic Center, where the mayor delivered remarks remembering the victims of 9/11 and thanking first responders and faith leaders for their service during the dark time.
Mamdani commemorated the first responders “who rushed towards horror so that others could rush towards home,” including FDNY Chaplain Mychal Judge, the first recorded death on Sept.11.
“[Judge] prayed over the bodies that lay in the street before entering the North Tower.Even as the towers began to collapse around, he refused to leave,” Mamdani said.
“He died in full embrace of faith.That faith, that pure expression of love was extraordinary…it was in many ways the light that New Yorkers showed in our city’s darkest hours.”Mamdani also praised the “chaplains and reverends, rabbis and imams” alike who “modeled a selflessness and solidarity and helped to guide our city from the wreckage of pain and loss towards recovery.”Retiree Melina Holm, who attended the peace walk with members from her church, told The Post she ”was thrilled that Mamdani made the effort” ...