Rama Duwaji, the wife of New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani, is reportedly planning a private family trip to Syria and Lebanon next month accompanied by NYPD officers, drawing criticism over the potential risks to the officers assigned to protect her.

According to a report cited by the New York Post, Duwaji is expected to depart on September 20 for a family visit to the two Middle Eastern countries.

Both Syria and Lebanon are currently subject to the U.S. State Department’s highest-level “Do Not Travel” advisories due to significant security risks.

A City Hall spokesperson, Dora Pekec, told the New York Post that NYPD officers would accompany Duwaji at the department’s request. Duwaji reportedly traveled without police protection during a trip last month.

A source familiar with the details said the upcoming journey is private and is not connected to any official work on behalf of New York City.

The prospect of NYPD personnel traveling with Duwaji to countries covered by severe U.S. travel warnings has sparked criticism from political figures who argue that the arrangement could unnecessarily endanger the officers.

Former New York State Assemblyman Dov Hikind, founder of Americans Against Antisemitism, criticized the plan, arguing that sending NYPD officers into countries considered dangerous by the U.S. government could put their lives at risk and potentially make them targets.

Hikind also argued that Duwaji would likely receive local protection while visiting the countries and questioned why New York City police officers should be required to accompany her.

Duwaji, a 29-year-old Syrian-American artist, has previously drawn controversy over her outspoken pro-Palestinian and anti-Israel views and her activity on social media.

Her online activity has faced scrutiny over posts and other content related to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, including controversial past remarks for which she reportedly apologized in April.

Mamdani has previously defended his wife from public scrutiny, arguing that she is a private individual who should not be forced into the political spotlight because of his position.

The reported security arrangements for the September trip are nevertheless likely to fuel further debate over the responsibilities of the NYPD in protecting the mayor’s immediate family during private international travel, particularly to countries under the most severe U.S. travel advisories.

(YWN World Headquarters – NYC)