Getty ImagesRama Duwaji, a 27-year-old artist and animator, has been attracting attention since her husband Zohran Mamdani became a possible Democratic candidate for New York City Mayor this week.
Ms. Duwaji is a New York artist whose Syrian roots often explore Middle Eastern themes. Her work has appeared in BBC News, as well as the New York Times, The Washington Post, Vice and Vice and the Tate Modern Museum in London.
“Rama is not only my wife; she is an incredible artist who deserves to be known in her own way,” Mamdani wrote in a May 12 post.
“Oh my goodness, she’s real,” Ms. Duwaji joked in her comments on that article.
Ms. Duwaji was rarely seen in her husband’s main election campaign to lead the most populous American city, leading opponents to claim the 33-year-old state legislator is “hiding” his wife.
Her absence is noteworthy given that our candidates often present their spouse in full to demonstrate their commitment to family values.
Mamdani, a 33-year-old democratic socialist, announced a stunning victory in the Democratic primary on Tuesday, beating his main rival and political veteran Andrew Cuomo, who previously served as governor.
Mamdani raised criticism of his wife’s absence in May’s post, including a series of photos showing their marriage at the New York City clerk’s office.
“If you look at Twitter today, or one day for that, you’ll know how vicious the politics are.” He wrote.
“Whether it’s a death threat or a demand for my deportation, I usually delete it. But when it’s about someone you love. … You can criticize my point of view, not my family.”
After the results of the Democratic primary appeared earlier this week, she went to her Instagram page and posted a black and white photo of the couple with the caption “Impossible to be proud of.”
The couple encountered hinges in dating apps, and “those dating apps still have hope,” the candidate said in an interview with Fort last week.
“Before the civil ceremony in New York City, Zoran and his wife celebrated their engagement in Dubai last year – where her family lives – surrounded by loved ones,” the Mamdani movement said in a statement.
photo Posted by a flower shop in Dubai The couple stood on the roof and showed the skyline of Dubai City in the background, where they held a traditional Islamic wedding ceremony called Nika.
Ms. Duwaji graduated from Virginia Commonwealth University and then received her master’s degree in illustration from the School of Visual Arts in New York City.
“Using paintings and movements, Rama studies the nuances of sisterhood and public experiences,” Ms. Duwaji’s professional website reads.
Most of her work is black and white, depicting scenes from the Arab world. A campaign spokesman told The New York Times on Wednesday that Ms. Duwaji was born in Texas and is a Syrian race.
In 2022, her work appeared in the BBC World Service Documentary “Who killed my grandfather” This investigated the assassination of Yemeni politicians in 1974.
Some of her Instagram-listed works criticized “American imperialism,” which she called Israeli war crimes and condemned Palestinians’ “ethnic cleansing”, reflecting some of her husband’s policy stance. Israel stressed its denial of allegations of genocide in Gaza.
Her work also expresses support Mahmoud Khalila Columbia graduate, the Trump administration is seeking to expel his claims on Palestinian-advocating works that constitute “anti-Semitism” against Jews.
She said in an interview with the website in April Yung.
In that interview, she was asked about recent events in the Middle East, returning to Donald Trump’s White House and a sharp rise in immigration attacks.
“I won’t lie, things are getting dark in New York City now. I’m worried about my friends and family that things are totally unpopular,” she said.
She added: “With so many people being kicked out and silent from fear, all I can do is to speak out with my voice to speak out what is going on in the United States and Palestine and Syria.”
She was also asked that responsible artists must speak out about global issues.
“In my case, the role of an artist is to reflect the times,” she said.
She continued: “I believe everyone has a responsibility to oppose injustice and art has the ability to spread it.”
“I don’t think everyone has to do political work, but art is political in terms of manufacturing, funding and sharing.
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