SouthernWorldwide.com – Rama Duwaji, wife of New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani, is reportedly co-hosting a high-end Islamic Women’s “spiritual wellness” retreat on the French island of Corsica. This retreat notably frames the Virgin Mary as a “Palestinian woman” enduring occupation.
The Women Sanctuary website, referring to Mary, states: “She is the only woman mentioned by name in the Qur’an — mentioned 34 times — and the only one to have an entire chapter revealed in her name.” It further elaborates, “Surah Maryam. Her story is not only one of divine motherhood, but of unwavering faith, sacred retreat, and total devotion to Allah.”
The Virgin Mary holds significant reverence in Christianity as the Mother of Jesus, and is also highly respected in Islam under the name Maryam.
Mayor Mamdani gained national attention for his campaign as a Democratic socialist in New York City. He has also faced criticism for his pro-Palestinian stances and far-left immigration views. Upon taking office in January 2026, Mamdani made history as the first New York City mayor to be sworn in using a Quran. His wife, an artist of Syrian American descent, has also been under scrutiny for her vocal pro-Palestinian activism.
Reports indicate that Duwaji previously attended The Women’s Sanctuary’s “Plants of the Quran” retreat in Mallorca, Spain, around the Fourth of July holiday. She was described at that event as the group’s “artist in residence” and one of its hosts.
Councilwoman Joann Ariola, R-Queens, commented on Duwaji’s prior trip, stating to The Post, “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.”
The Women Sanctuary positions itself as an organization dedicated to women’s retreats, drawing from Islamic traditions and focusing on spiritual renewal. They offer retreats in various Mediterranean locations.
While Duwaji’s name is not explicitly listed as a co-host for the current event in France on The Women’s Sanctuary website, The New York Post reported her involvement in the “Mary In The Quran” retreat. This sold-out event is scheduled from Thursday to July 14, with retreat costs beginning at just over $4,000 per attendee, according to the website.
The New York Post initially broke the story of Duwaji’s participation in these retreats. She was reportedly photographed at Newark International Airport in New Jersey, boarding a flight to Mallorca’s capital city during the patriotic holiday weekend. Conservative commentator and comedian Arynne Wexler shared these photos of Duwaji at the airport.
The retreat in France features a schedule that includes daily organic meals prepared with local ingredients, communal prayers, devotional practices, lectures, and workshops aimed at spiritual renewal and mindful reflection. Attendees also have designated free time for prayer, meditation, journaling, relaxation by the pool, or exploring the island, creating a balance between “guided learning” and “personal reflection,” as detailed on the website.
In April, Duwaji issued a public apology for controversial social media posts she had made during her teenage years. She expressed being “truly sorry” for any hurt caused by these posts, although she did not specify which particular posts she was referring to. The Washington Free Beacon had previously reported on Duwaji sharing anti-Israel content on Tumblr, including a September 2017 post that featured an image of Leila Khaled, a Palestinian militant.
Mayor Mamdani himself has been vocal, having recently criticized ICE agents, Elon Musk, and what he termed “supremacy” in a speech related to America 250 celebrations ahead of the July 4th weekend.
