The father of New York City mayoral candidate Zohran Mamdani is facing fierce criticism over a resurfaced book in which he referred to suicide bombers as a type of “soldier” and argued they should not be stigmatised as barbaric.
Mahmood Mamdani – a 79-year-old professor of anthropology, political science, and African studies at Columbia University – has faced growing scrutiny alongside his son for his stance on Israel, particularly in the lead-up to the anticipated November election.
On Thursday, the elder Mamdani sparked a new wave of controversy on social media after an excerpt from his 2004 book, “Good Muslim, Bad Muslim: America, the Cold War, and the Roots of Terror,” was shared on X.
Controversial Book Excerpt
“We need to recognize the suicide bomber, first and foremost, as a category of soldier,” Mahmood wrote in the book.
Suicide bombing needs to be understood as a feature of modern political violence rather than stigmatized as a mark of barbarism,” he added.
The book argues that the labels “good” Westernised and “bad” premodern Muslims refer to political identities rather than cultural or religious ones.
Billionaire hedge fund manager Bill Ackman reposted an excerpt from Mahmood’s book to X on July 10, captioning it: “The apple @ZohranKMamdani doesn’t fall far from the tree.”
Online Outrage
The resurfacing of the 324-page book sparked immediate backlash across social media platforms.
One person wrote in response: “This is very scary,” while another added: “Only an out-of-touch academic like this man could convince people that blowing yourself up with the express goal of killing as many innocents as possible, is not barbarism.
A third chimed in: “This guy CANNOT win. And anyone who supports his candidacy is naïve.”
Michelle Tandler, who initially shared the excerpt, wrote: “Columbia Prof Mamdani wrote this. His son, NYC mayoral-candidate Zohran, refuses to condemn ‘Globalize the intifada.’ Coincidence?”
Father’s Academic Arguments
In defending his position on recognising suicide bombers as “soldiers,” Mahmood wrote: “Clearly, the prime objective of the suicide bomber is not to terminate his or her own life but that of others defined as enemies.”
Does not the suicide bomber join both aspects of our humanity, particularly as it has been fashioned by political modernity, in that we are willing to subordinate life – both our own and that of others – to objectives we consider higher than life?” he added.
He explained that labelling suicide bombing as mere “barbarism” is dangerous, as it overlooks its nature as a form of political warfare rather than a random act of violence.
The danger of a moral discussion by itself (how can any culture condone suicide) is that it quickly turns into a replay of Culture Talk, stereotyping individuals and preventing any deliberation about alternative strategies,” Mahmood wrote.
Anti-Israel Affiliations
The controversy has revealed that the professor is involved with several groups condemning what they call genocide on Palestinian soil.
Mahmood is listed on the advisory policy council for The Gaza Tribunal – an organisation founded in London in 2024 with the stated goal of “awakening civil society to its responsibility and opportunity to stop Israel’s genocide in Gaza,” according to its website.
Richard Falk, president of The Gaza Tribunal, outlined the group’s support for the BDS movement in an online post, stating it aims to “legitimize and encourage civil society solidarity initiatives around the world, such as BDS.
Son’s Controversial Stances
Zohran Mamdani, 33, has faced mounting scrutiny since winning the Democratic primary, with some far-right MAGA lawmakers calling for his citizenship to be revoked over claims linking him to “Islamic terrorism.”
Earlier this month, the self-described socialist was pressed by NBC’s Kristen Welker over his refusal to condemn the phrase “globalize the intifada” – a slogan many interpret as a call for violence against Israeli and Jewish people worldwide.
“That’s not language that I would use,” Zohran said during the interview, though he declined to condemn it outright.
He has also voiced support for the BDS movement, stating that it is “consistent with the core of my politics, which is non-violence,” in response to questions about whether he believes Israel has a right to exist.
Falk’s Defence
Despite the backlash, Richard Falk stated that Jewish voters in Manhattan “should not worry” about Mahmood’s ties to The Gaza Tribunal or about Zohran’s candidacy for mayor, according to Fox News Digital.
Both father and son are respectful of international law, the UN, human rights of all peoples, and the pacific settlement of political disputes,” Falk told the outlet.
The BDS campaign, which stands for Boycott, Divestment and Sanctions, is described by critics through Influence Watch as “an international campaign to delegitimize the State of Israel as the expression of the Jewish people’s right to national self-determination.
Other Controversial Claims
In a 2022 panel discussion, Mahmood Mamdani made additional controversial statements, claiming Adolf Hitler drew inspiration for the Holocaust from Abraham Lincoln.
“With the Civil War, Abraham Lincoln generalized the solution of reservations, they herded American Indians into separate territories,” Mamdani said during the Asia Society event.
He also argued that the Nuremberg Laws of Nazi Germany “were patterned after American laws” and claimed “the Nazi political project was shared by the Allies.
Gaza Death Toll
The Hamas-run Gaza Ministry of Health reported this week that more than 55,104 people in Gaza have been killed and nearly 127,400 have been wounded in the last 20 months, according to the Associated Press.
Women and children make up more than half of the casualties, the ministry claimed.
The World Health Organization also reported that many more are believed to be buried under rubble or in areas inaccessible to local medics.
Hostage Situation
On Wednesday, Israel announced that its forces had recovered the remains of two additional hostages in Gaza.
Militants are still holding 53 captives – fewer than half of whom are believed to be alive.
The New York City mayoral election is scheduled to take place on November 4, with Zohran Mamdani currently considered the frontrunner following his Democratic primary victory.
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