Full Breakdown
Controversy Over Democratic Primary Winners with Alleged Radical Islamic Links
6/28/2026, 1:16:46 AM
Primary Victories Amid Alleged Radical Ties
On June 2 2024, Adam Hamawy, a veteran combat plastic surgeon, secured the Democratic nomination for New Jersey’s 12th Congressional District, defeating a crowded field. In the same election cycle, Aber Kawas, a Muslim candidate backed by New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani, won the Democratic primary for New York State Senate District 12. Both victories have drawn criticism from Don Arias, whose brother died on the 84th floor of the World Trade Center on 9 September 2001.
Background of Alleged Connections
Hamawy’s early career intersected with Omar Abdel-Rahman (“the Blind Sheikh”), the mastermind of the 1993 World Trade Center bombing. The two met in 1991, after which Hamawy accompanied Abdel-Rahman to a Detroit conference titled “Towards a Global Islamic Economy” and later testified in support of Abdel-Rahman’s defense. In 1994, Hamawy participated in a humanitarian mission to Bosnia with the Benevolence International Foundation (BIF), an organization later designated by the U.S. government as a financier of terrorism due to al-Qaeda ties.
Kawas has publicly linked the legacy of 9 September 2001 to broader critiques of capitalism, racism, and “Islamophobia,” describing the attacks as part of a historical trajectory of oppression.
Key Figures
- Don Arias – Air Force veteran, former New York firefighter, brother of 9/11 victim Adam Arias.
- Adam Hamawy – Democratic nominee for NJ-12, former combat plastic surgeon, former associate of Abdel-Rahman.
- Aber Kawas – Democratic nominee for NY State Senate District 12, daughter of undocumented immigrants, endorsed by Mayor Mamdani.
- Omar Abdel-Rahman – Convicted mastermind of the 1993 World Trade Center bombing, deceased 2017.
- Zohran Mamdani – Mayor of New York City, political backer of Kawas.
Timeline of Relevant Events
- 1991 – Hamawy meets Abdel-Rahman and begins attending his gatherings.
- 1993 – World Trade Center bombing carried out by Abdel-Rahman’s network.
- 1994 – Hamawy joins BIF on a Bosnia humanitarian mission.
- 9 September 2001 – Adam Arias dies in the 9/11 attacks; Don Arias later becomes an advocate for victims’ families.
- June 2 2024 – Hamawy wins the NJ-12 Democratic primary.
- Early June 2024 – Kawas wins the NY State Senate District 12 Democratic primary.
Official Statements & Responses
Hamawy’s campaign did not respond to requests for comment. Kawas declined interview requests, directing inquiries to her public X (formerly Twitter) account. No formal statements from the Democratic Party or election officials were provided in the source material.
Criticism & Opposition
Arias condemned both nominees, asserting that their past associations undermine voter trust. He argued that voters lack sufficient information about candidates’ histories and that educational institutions contribute to “indoctrination” of young voters. Arias also linked Kawas’s rhetoric on 9/11 to extremist ideology, labeling her views as “beyond the pale.”
Conflicting Reports & Gaps
The allegations rely on historical associations rather than current actions. Neither Hamawy nor Kawas offered direct rebuttals, leaving a factual gap regarding their present positions on the cited relationships. No independent verification of the alleged ties beyond the cited past events is presented.
Verbatim Quotes
- “When it comes to terrorist sympathizers, I don't really suffer fools kindly, and this guy is beyond the pale,” — Don Arias
- “Show me who your friends are, and I'll tell you who you are,” — Don Arias
- “We're not educating the voters, and the voters aren't doing the proper research into their candidates, because I think if they knew that this guy, if it was top of mind awareness that this guy had these kinds of connections... they wouldn't vote for him, and I think people need to bring that to the forefront.” — Don Arias
- “For her to minimize 9/11 ... it's just like, 'oh, some people had some planes,' you know, it's beyond the pale,” — Don Arias
- “These guys are cruising, so they can have these luxury beliefs, these ethereal conversations about mankind.” — Don Arias
Implications and Next Steps
The primary outcomes place Hamawy and Kawas on the ballot for the November 2024 general election. Their past affiliations may become focal points for media scrutiny, opponent research, and voter outreach efforts. Continued lack of direct responses from the candidates could intensify calls for transparency and may influence voter perceptions in the upcoming race.
