Zohran Mamdani Says He's Attending 9/11 Ceremony Anyway After Former N.Y.C. Mayor Rudy Giuliani Tells Him to Stay Away

NEED TO KNOW Zohran Mamdani said he plans to attend the 9/11 memorial despite criticism from Rudy Giuliani, who served as mayor during the attacks Giuliani said he opposes Mamdani's attendance, and made controversial remarks about his faith Mamdani has emphasized honoring victims, families and first responders, while others defend his right to attend the ceremony New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani says he will attend Friday's 9/11 memorial ceremony at Ground Zero, despite former Mayor Rudy Giuliani publicly calling on him to stay away from the event. Mamdani, 34, confirmed on Monday, Sept. 7, that he plans to participate in the main ceremony as well as other events marking the 25th anniversary of the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks, according to The Guardian. 'I'm proud to be the mayor of this city. I love this city. I love this country,' Mamdani said at a breakfast in Brooklyn celebrating New York's J'ouvert and West Indian Day Parade. 'What I want this week to be a focus on is on the families whose loved ones were stolen from them 25 years ago in the horrific act of terror of Sept.11, and a focus also on the first responders who did everything they could.' Mamdani's comments came days after Giuliani, who was mayor of New York City when the attacks occurred, criticized his decision to attend the ceremony. During a Sunday, Sept. 6, interview with Newsmax, Giuliani was asked whether Mamdani should skip the memorial. 'Well, there's no question he should,' Giuliani, 82, said. 'Having lost friends there and being very close to many of the families, it offends me that he's coming,' Giuliani added. Giuliani also made a series of claims linking Mamdani's Muslim faith to the ideology of the Sept. 11 attackers, The Guardian reported. He accused Mamdani of attempting to conceal views he characterized as supportive of Islam becoming the dominant religion in the U.S. The dispute comes as Mamdani, New York City's first Muslim mayor, prepares to participate in one of the city's most solemn annual commemorations. Last week, Mamdani signed an executive order establishing Sept. 11 as an annual 'Day of Remembrance and Service' in New York City, according to the city's website. The order calls for a moment of silence honoring those killed in the attacks as well as those who suffered health consequences in the years that followed. Mamdani has faced opposition to his attendance from several prominent Republican figures. Former New York Gov. George Pataki has also said he should not attend, while an online petition seeking to prevent Mamdani from participating has collected nearly 100,000 signatures. New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani speaks at a Veteran's Day event on Nov. 11, 2025 in the Bronx. Michael M. Santiago/Getty Friday's ceremony is expected to draw numerous national and New York political figures, including former Presidents Bill Clinton, George W. Bush, Barack Obama and Joe Biden, along with former New York mayors. President Donald Trump is not expected to attend the Ground Zero ceremony, according to The New York Times. The White House has said Vice President JD Vance will represent the administration in New York, while Trump is expected to commemorate the anniversary at the Pentagon in Washington, D.C. Never miss a story — sign up for PEOPLE's free daily newsletter to stay up-to-date on the best of what PEOPLE has to offer, from celebrity news to compelling human interest stories. When questioned about Giuliani's comments, Mamdani said, 'I don't have much more to add,' according to ABC News. Mamdani and his office did not immediately respond to PEOPLE's request for comment on Giuliani's remarks.