Former New York City Mayor Rudy Giuliani and current Mayor Zohran Mamdani shook hands at Ground Zero on Friday morning, shortly before the 25th anniversary remembrance ceremony for the September 11, 2001 attacks. This moment of cordiality followed public remarks by Giuliani urging Mamdani to abstain from the memorial service.
Giuliani, who led the city during the 9/11 attacks, stated in a recent interview that Mamdani's attendance would be offensive. He claimed that the mayor "doesn't agree that September 11 was an Islamic terrorist attack on the United States of America." Giuliani emphasized that the ceremony is intended for the victims' families and for national remembrance.
Mamdani and Giuliani were present at the memorial site ahead of the annual commemoration, an event that draws officials and the public to reflect on the events of 9/11. The interaction between the two mayors occurred as preparations were underway for the ceremony at Ground Zero.
The 25th anniversary observance at Ground Zero is a significant event for the city and the nation, marking a quarter-century since the terrorist attacks that claimed nearly 3,000 lives and reshaped global politics. The ceremony typically includes readings of victims' names, moments of silence, and tributes from public officials and family members.
