Qatar Funds Filmmaker Mira Nair Linked to NYC Candidate's Family

New York City mayoral candidate Zohran Mamdani has come under scrutiny due to revelations that his mother, filmmaker Mira Nair, has received significant funding from Qatar, a country criticized for its ties to Hamas. Qatar's royal family member Sheikha Al-Mayassa bint Hamad Al-Thani has financially supported Nair's film and theater projects since 2009, including fully funding the $15 million budget for Nair’s 2012 film 'The Reluctant Fundamentalist' and facilitating cultural collaborations tied to the 2022 World Cup. The sheikha has also publicly promoted Mamdani's mayoral campaign on social media, raising concerns about foreign influence in U.S. politics. Critics highlight the contradiction between Mamdani's progressive platform and Qatar's conservative policies and alleged support for terrorism, warning that Qatar may be using cultural investments as soft power to gain political influence. Mamdani has dismissed the allegations as attempts to smear him through his mother’s career. The controversy reflects broader tensions over foreign funding and ideological alliances influencing American political figures.