NEW YORK — Mayor Zohran Mamdani, a Democrat and the city’s first Muslim mayor, attended a Ramadan event last week at a Staten Island mosque where he was introduced by Abdullah Akl, an activist previously known for calling for attacks on Tel Aviv and leading chants in support of “intifada.”

During the event, Akl welcomed attendees and highlighted Mamdani’s presence, noting the mayor had come directly from City Hall. Mamdani offered brief remarks, describing it as a privilege to join the congregation.

The Washington Free Beacon reported Tuesday that Akl drew attention in 2024 while a student at Harvard Extension School for leading chants to “strike Tel Aviv” and praising a Hamas spokesman killed by Israel the following year. His social media activity included calls for “intifada” against Jews, denying Israel’s legitimacy, and encouraging children to view the Jewish state as an enemy. Harvard launched an investigation into his conduct but later ended it after pressure from extremist groups. Akl was also arrested at a pro-Hamas protest in 2024.

Akl has a long history of anti-Israel activism, including 2021 rallies where U.S. and Israeli flags were burned and slogans opposing a two-state solution were chanted.

Since taking office, Mamdani has faced criticism for appointing officials with ties to controversial anti-Israel groups, including leaders of an organization blaming Israel for Hamas’s 2023 attacks, a Brooklyn borough director who praised the removal of flyers showing Israeli hostages, and a deputy communications director who similarly attributed blame to Israel.