New York City’s first lady, Rama Duwaji, is set to attend a high-priced Islamic calligraphy retreat in Portugal as artist-in-residence, sparking public backlash over her travel schedule and focus amid mounting criticism of City Hall’s leadership.
Rama Duwaji, the wife of Mayor Zohran Mamdani, is scheduled to headline two sessions of The Women Sanctuary’s “Journey through Islamic Calligraphy” retreat in the countryside of Arcos de Valdevez, Portugal, this September. The retreat, according to its organizers, offers participants a week of illustration workshops, nature walks, poolside relaxation, and spiritual reflection, with listed prices ranging from $4,300 for a shared room to $5,260 for a private suite. Duwaji, a 29-year-old Syrian-American artist, is slated as the official artist-in-residence for both sessions, marking her third such role with The Women Sanctuary this year.
Promotional language from The Women Sanctuary highlights the lavish setting and immersive programming: “Some days, we will explore the rich history of Islam in Portugal, uncovering the traces of a remarkable legacy still woven into the landscape. On others, we will gather for a marvelous illustration workshop with our artist-in-residence, Rama Duwaji, celebrating this heritage,” the retreat website states. Organizers also tout “a truly restorative environment, featuring an exceptional heated outdoor pool, a heated indoor pool, and beautifully landscaped gardens.”
While Duwaji’s supporters cite her artistic credentials, her latest travel plans have drawn a sharp rebuke from local officials and members of the public who question whether the first lady’s priorities match the everyday realities facing New Yorkers. Queens City Councilwoman Joann Ariola contrasted Duwaji’s itinerary with the traditional community engagement of prior city first ladies, saying, “Former first ladies spent their time visiting schools and doing charitable work.” Ariola added, “Being Zohran Mamdani’s wife must be very stressful because this first lady is more interested in vacations than she is in matters that affect New Yorkers.”
Former councilman Bob Holden also weighed in, accusing the Mamdani administration of hypocrisy: “They’re acting like jet-setters when they’re supposed to be for New Yorkers but they’re anything but. She’s a good example of the hypocrisy of this administration,” Holden said. These criticisms echo broader public frustration with City Hall’s perceived disconnect from the city’s challenges, as seen in recent controversies surrounding Mayor Mamdani’s public role and policies including outcry from 9/11 families and civic leaders.
This Portugal retreat is not the first time Duwaji’s international travel has raised questions. The New York Post reported that last month, Duwaji attended a Women Sanctuary “spiritual wellness” retreat on the Spanish island of Mallorca, coinciding with the celebrations of America’s 250th birthday. In July, she participated in another Women Sanctuary event in Corsica, France. Now, following the Portugal sessions, Duwaji is slated to visit Lebanon and Syria, two countries that the U.S. State Department currently lists as “Do Not Travel” destinations for Americans.
This string of high-profile trips has fueled debate not only about personal priorities, but also about the use of government resources. City Hall initially stated that Duwaji would have an NYPD security detail for her planned Lebanon and Syria trip, but the NYPD later denied that she would receive such an escort. Mayor Mamdani blamed the confusion on a staff communication problem. The lack of clarity around these arrangements has only deepened skepticism toward the administration’s transparency and judgment.
Duwaji’s public statements have also come under scrutiny, including a 2015 Tumblr post in which she wrote: “American soldiers fighting in imperialist wars are not brave nor are they fighting for anyone’s freedom. They are mercilessly slaughtering 3rd world civilians and fighting to maintain American hegemony.” Such comments have resurfaced amid her rising profile, further complicating public perceptions of the first lady’s worldview and allegiances.
Information from The Women Sanctuary describes the Portugal retreat as “a space for suhbah, spiritual reflection, and presence, where hearts can soften, souls can be nourished, and remembrance can arise naturally amidst the beauty of creation.” The program’s emphasis on “unhurried moments” and restorative luxury stands in stark contrast to the daily realities of ordinary New Yorkers facing costs, crime, and quality-of-life concerns at home.
For critics, the issue is not simply one of optics. The portrayal of City Hall’s leadership as out of touch has become a recurring theme, with Duwaji’s globe-trotting and privileged access to exclusive retreats serving as a flashpoint. The Mamdani administration’s handling of criticism, blaming staff for communications failures and offering little public engagement on the matter, has only reinforced the impression of a political class insulated from the consequences of its choices.
While supporters may defend Duwaji’s right to pursue her artistic and spiritual interests, the mounting criticism reveals a deeper frustration with political elites who seem more interested in personal enrichment and prestige than in the hard work of public service. For everyday New Yorkers, the symbolism is impossible to ignore: while city leaders travel the world in comfort, basic public concerns go unaddressed back home.
Leadership means showing up for the people you serve, even when nobody is offering a poolside retreat and a private room.