Rama Duwaji, the wife of Zohran Mamdani, faced criticism after traveling to Mallorca, Spain, for an Islamic “spiritual wellness” retreat during the July 4 weekend. The trip landed in the middle of America 250 celebrations, while Mamdani marked the 250th anniversary at City Hall in New York on July 3.
The retreat was run by The Women Sanctuary, and said it was sold out. The New York Post reported that Duwaji was seen Monday at Newark International Airport before boarding a flight to Palma, placing her travel on the public record as the holiday weekend unfolded.
Joann Ariola and Frank Morano
Councilwoman Joann Ariola said, “Nothing says ‘America 250’ quite like skipping the celebration for a Mediterranean vacation, but I am not surprised because she has made her hatred for America very evident,” according to The Post. Councilman Frank Morano said, “It’s disappointing that the First Lady chose to be overseas instead of taking part in one of the biggest civic events our city and country will mark this year,” according to The Post.
Morano added, “No one is saying elected officials and their families can’t take vacations, but this was a moment to show up for the city and for the country, and she missed it,” according to The Post. Conservative commentator Arynne Wexler also posted photos of Duwaji at a United Airlines gate and criticized the timing of the trip.
NYPD detail
Mamdani’s office told The Post that Duwaji was not accompanied by officers assigned to the couple’s taxpayer-funded NYPD detail. That leaves the criticism focused on two separate points: the timing of the Mallorca trip during America 250 and the mention of public security resources in reporting around the travel.
The account places Duwaji’s departure, the retreat, and the holiday weekend on the same timeline, but it does not add a return date or any later response tied to the trip. For readers, the operative fact is simple: the overseas travel was public, timed to a national anniversary weekend, and already had drawn political criticism by Monday.
