“She is the only woman mentioned by name in the Qur\u2019an \u2014 mentioned 34 times \u2014 and the only one to have an entire chapter revealed in her name,” reads The Women Sanctuary website,<\/a> referring to Mary. “Surah Maryam. Her story is not only one of divine motherhood, but of unwavering faith, sacred retreat, and total devotion to Allah.”<\/p>\n The Virgin Mary is the most revered woman in Christianity, venerated as the Mother of Jesus, and is also revered in Islam as Maryam.\u00a0<\/p>\n Mamdani drew national attention for running as a Democratic socialist in New York City, while also facing backlash over his pro-Palestinian positions and far-left immigration views. When he took office in January 2026, Mamdani became the first New York City mayor to be sworn in on a Quran. His wife, a Syrian American artist, has also faced scrutiny over her outspoken pro-Palestinian activism.<\/p>\n ZOHRAN MAMDANI’S WIFE SKIPS AMERICA 250 FOR ISLAMIC \u2018SPIRITUAL WELLNESS\u2019 RETREAT IN SPAIN<\/a><\/p>\n Democrat Mayor Zohran Mamdani becomes the first Muslim mayor of New York City, with the inauguration ceremony at City Hall, Manhattan, New York City, United States on Jan. 1, 2026. (Selcuk Acar\/Anadolu via Getty Images)<\/p>\n The New York Post reported that Duwaji previously traveled to Mallorca, Spain, for The Women\u2019s Sanctuary\u2019s sold-out “Plants of the Quran” retreat over the Fourth of July holiday, where she was described as the group\u2019s “artist in residence” and one of the gathering\u2019s hosts.<\/p>\n “Nothing says \u2018America 250<\/a>\u2019 quite like skipping the celebration for a Mediterranean vacation, but I am not surprised because she has made her hatred for America very evident,” Councilwoman Joann Ariola, R-Queens, told The Post in response to that event.\u00a0<\/p>\n The Women Sanctuary describes itself as a women\u2019s retreat organization rooted in Islamic tradition and spiritual renewal, offering retreats in Mediterranean destinations.<\/p>\n The Women’s Sanctuary website does not explicitly list Duwaji as a co-host for the current event in France. The New York Post reported she would co-host the “Mary In The Quran” retreat from Thursday to July 14 in a sold-out event. The cost of the retreat starts at just over $4,000 per attendee, according to its website.\u00a0<\/p>\n The Vatican announced it will not participate in President Trump\u2019s Gaza recovery board. (AP Photo\/Andrew Medichini)<\/p>\n The New York Post first reported Duwaji\u2019s participation in the pair of retreats when she was seen at Newark International Airport in New Jersey boarding a flight to Mallorca\u2019s capital city over the patriotic holiday weekend. Photos of Duwaji at the airport were posted<\/a> by conservative commentator and comedian Arynne Wexler.<\/p>\n The retreat in France includes daily organic meals made with locally sourced ingredients, communal prayers, devotional practices, lectures, and workshops centered on spiritual renewal and mindful reflection. Participants also receive and have free time to pray, meditate, journal, relax by the pool, or explore the island, blending “guided learning” with “personal reflection,” according to the website.\u00a0<\/p>\n MAMDANI’S WIFE ‘TRULY SORRY’ FOR CONTROVERSIAL ANTI-ISRAEL SOCIAL MEDIA POSTS<\/a><\/p>\n Mayor Zohran Mamdani, left, stands with his wife, Rama Duwaji, during his inauguration ceremony, Thursday, Jan. 1, 2026, in New York. (Andres Kudacki\/AP Photo)<\/p>\n Duwaji publicly apologized in April for offensive posts she made as a teenager, saying she was “truly sorry” for the hurt they caused, though she did not specify which posts she was addressing. The Washington Free Beacon previously reported that Duwaji had shared anti-Israel posts on Tumblr, including a September 2017 post featuring a photo of Palestinian militant Leila Khaled.<\/p>\n MAMDANI BLASTS ICE AGENTS, ELON MUSK AND ‘SUPREMACY’ IN AMERICA 250 SPEECH AHEAD OF JULY 4 WEEKEND<\/a><\/p>\n U.S. Sen. Bernie Sanders, I-Vt., left, administers the oath of office to Mayor Zohran Mamdani, right, as Rama Duwaji, center, holds the Quran during Mamdani’s inauguration ceremony, Thursday, Jan. 1, 2026, in New York. (Andres Kudacki\/AP Photo)<\/p>\n![\"Democrat](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-ny\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/gettyimages-2253720419-scaled.jpg\")
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