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Zohran Mamdani's dad's startling words about suicide bombers as 'soldiers' who could end his political career
The father of New York City mayoral candidate Zohran Mamdani is facing backlash over a resurfaced book in which he referred to suicide bombers as a type of 'soldier.'
Mahmood Mamdani - a 79-year-old professor of anthropology, political science, and African studies at Columbia University - has faced growing criticism, alongside his son, for his stance on Israel, particularly in the lead-up to the anticipated November election.
On Thursday, however, Mahmood sparked a new wave of controversy on social media after an excerpt from his 2004 book, Bad Muslim: America, the Cold War, and the Roots of Terror, was shared on X.
'We need to recognize the suicide bomber, first and foremost, as a category of soldier,' the younger Mahmood wrote.
'Suicide bombing needs to be understood as a feature of modern political violence rather than stigmatized as a mark of barbarism,' he added.
Since ultimately winning the Democratic primary, 33-year-old Zohran has faced mounting scrutiny, with some far-right MAGA lawmakers even 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.
His father has since been thrown into the voices of distaste, after billionaire hedge fund manager Bill Ackman reposted an excerpt from Mahmood's book to X on July 10.
'The apple @ZohranKMomdani doesn't fall far from the tree,' he captioned it.
One person online 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.'
The book - which argues that the labels 'good' Westernized and 'bad' premodern Muslims refer to political identities rather than cultural or religious ones - aims to provide insight into the years following 9/11 and address the pressing question of how it happened.
In the excerpt, while defending his position on recognizing 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 then explains that labeling 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.
The resurfacing of the 324-page book sparked renewed controversy over Mahmood's political and activist affiliations, revealing that the professor is involved with several groups condemning the unfolding genocide on Palestinian soil.
Mahmood is listed on the advisory policy council for The Gaza Tribunal - an organization 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, which critics describe as 'an international campaign to delegitimize the State of Israel as the expression of the Jewish people's right to national self-determination,' according to Influence Watch.
The campaign, which stands for Boycott, Divestment and Sanctions, is part of the Tribunal's broader mission, with Falk stating in an online post that it aims to 'legitimize and encourage civil society solidarity initiatives around the world, such as BDS.'
Zohran 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.
Despite the online backlash, Falk has stated that Jewish voters in Manhattan 'should not worry' about Mahmood 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 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 - with women and children making up more than half of the casualties, according to the Associated Press.
The World Health Organization also reported that many more are believed to be buried under rubble or in areas inaccessible to local medics, according to the outlet.
On Wednesday, Israel announced that its forces had recovered the remains of two additional hostages in Gaza, while militants are still holding 53 captives - fewer than half of whom are believed to be alive.
