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Mamdani’s wife co-hosts luxe Muslim retreat casting Virgin Mary as ‘Palestinian woman’ under occupation
Fox News reports that Rama Duwaji, the wife of newly elected New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani, is co-hosting an Islamic women's "spiritual wellness" retreat on the French island of Corsica that reportedly frames the Virgin Mary as a "Palestinian woman" living under occupation. The story is presented in the context of Mamdani's high profile as a Democratic socialist and the first Muslim mayor of New York City, and of ongoing conservative criticism of both him and his wife over their pro-Palestinian views, making the retreat's framing of a figure revered in both Christianity and Islam a point of political controversy.
The retreat is run by an organisation called The Women's Sanctuary, which describes itself as rooted in Islamic tradition and offers gatherings in Mediterranean destinations; its website highlights Mary (Maryam) as the only woman named in the Qur'an, mentioned 34 times, with a chapter revealed in her name. The article notes that Duwaji, a Syrian American artist, previously attended the group's sold-out "Plants of the Quran" retreat in Mallorca, Spain, over the Fourth of July holiday, prompting criticism from Republican Councilwoman Joann Ariola of Queens. Fox also acknowledges that the organisation's website does not explicitly list Duwaji as a co-host for the current French event, with that claim attributed to reporting by the New York Post.
Steelman: both sides, in good faith
The strongest fair case each way — we don't pick a winner.
The case for
Critics contend that reframing Mary—venerated across Christian and Islamic traditions—through contemporary Palestinian political occupation risks instrumentalising shared religious heritage for geopolitical purposes. They argue that spiritual gatherings should transcend rather than amplify political divisions, and that explicitly deploying figures sacred to multiple faiths as vehicles for political messaging blurs the appropriate boundary between contemplative practice and political advocacy.
The case against
Supporters maintain that Mary was historically a Palestinian woman living under Roman occupation, and that exploring this documented historical context within Islamic theological tradition constitutes legitimate interfaith reflection rather than politicisation. They argue that contemplative practice naturally integrates historical, spiritual, and contemporary dimensions of understanding, and that doing so in an Islamic women's retreat centred on Mary's revered role is authentically rooted in theological tradition.
Explained simply
Zohran Mamdani is the newly elected first Muslim mayor of New York City and a prominent Democratic socialist. He and his wife, Rama Duwaji, a Syrian American artist, are publicly known for their pro-Palestinian views, which have drawn criticism from conservative political figures.
The Virgin Mary holds significance in both Christian and Islamic theology. In Islamic tradition, she is known as Maryam and appears in the Qur'an 34 times—more frequently than any other woman—with an entire chapter devoted to her, making her an important figure within Islamic spirituality.
A women's wellness retreat on Corsica run by The Women's Sanctuary, an organisation focused on Islamic spiritual tradition, has become controversial for framing the Virgin Mary as a "Palestinian woman" under occupation. Critics have connected this portrayal to Mamdani and Duwaji's pro-Palestinian politics, whilst the retreat's organisers point to Mary's significant role within Islamic religious tradition.