MANDANI SINGS PRAISES TO HAMAS

The Holy Land Five and Zohran Mamdani’s Controversial Rap: A Deep Dive into the Implications for New York City

In June 2025, Zohran Mamdani, a 33-year-old Democratic Socialist and New York State Assembly member, emerged as the Democratic nominee for mayor of New York City, defeating former Governor Andrew Cuomo in a stunning upset.

As Mamdani’s campaign gained traction, a 2017 rap song titled “Salaam,” recorded under his stage name Mr. Cardamom, resurfaced, sparking intense controversy.

In the song, Mamdani rapped, “My love to the Holy Land Five. You better look ’em up,” referencing a group convicted of funneling millions to Hamas, a U.S.-designated terrorist organization.

The song, still available on platforms like Facebook, SoundCloud, YouTube and TikTok, has been criticized as glorifying terrorism, raising alarms about Mamdani’s suitability to lead America’s largest city.

This article examines the Holy Land Five, their impact on the United States and other countries, Mamdani’s controversial lyrics, and the potential dangers of his mayoral candidacy, critically analyzing the broader implications.

Who Were the Holy Land Five?

The Holy Land Five refers to five individuals associated with the Holy Land Foundation for Relief and Development (HLF), a U.S.-based Muslim charity shut down by the federal government in 2001. Convicted in 2008 in the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Texas, they were found guilty of providing material support to Hamas, alongside charges of tax fraud and money laundering. The five are:

Shukri Abu Baker: HLF’s CEO, sentenced to 65 years for 36 counts, including conspiracy to provide material support to a foreign terrorist organization.
Ghassan Elashi: HLF’s chairman, also sentenced to 65 years on similar charges.
Mohammad El-Mezain: A senior official, convicted on one count of conspiracy to provide material support, sentenced to 15 years.
Mufid Abdulqader: A fundraiser and performer in a pro-Hamas band, sentenced to 20 years.
Abdulrahman Odeh: A fundraiser, sentenced to 15 years.

Between 1995 and 2001, the HLF funneled over $12.4 million to Hamas-controlled entities in the West Bank and Gaza, disguised as humanitarian aid for Palestinian zakat committees and schools.

The U.S. government, following the 9/11 attacks, designated HLF a terrorist organization under Executive Order 13224, seizing its assets and shutting it down in December 2001.

The group had raised $57 million from 1992 to 2001, but only reported $36 million to the IRS, raising red flags about financial transparency.The Holy Land Five’s actions indirectly supported Hamas’s violent campaign during the Second Intifada (2000–2005), a period marked by suicide bombings and attacks that killed civilians, including Americans.

While the funds were not directly traced to specific attacks, they bolstered Hamas’s infrastructure, enabling recruitment, propaganda, and logistics for its militant activities. Hamas, designated a Foreign Terrorist Organization by the U.S. since 1997, was responsible for attacks like the 2001 Sbarro pizzeria bombing (15 dead, including Americans Malka Roth and Judith Greenbaum), the 2002 Hebrew University bombing (9 dead, including 5 Americans), and the 2002 Park Hotel bombing (several American deaths).

These attacks, enabled by Hamas’s broader operations, claimed at least 12 American lives during this period.Damage Caused by the Holy Land FiveThe Holy Land Five’s actions had significant repercussions for the United States and other countries, particularly Israel, where Hamas’s attacks were concentrated:

Loss of American Lives:
- The $12.4 million funneled to Hamas supported its capacity to carry out attacks during the Second Intifada, which killed at least 12 Americans in Israel. These included civilians targeted in bombings, such as the Sbarro pizzeria attack (Malka Roth, 15, and Judith Greenbaum, a pregnant American) and the Hebrew University bombing (Marla Bennett, Benjamin Blutstein, Dina Carter, Janis Coulter, and David Gritz). The emotional toll on American families and the diplomatic fallout strained U.S.-Israel relations.
Economic and Security Costs:
- The HLF investigation and prosecution consumed significant U.S. resources. The FBI, IRS, and Department of Justice spent years tracking financial transactions, seizing assets, and building a case, costing millions in taxpayer funds. The trial, one of the largest terrorism-financing cases in U.S. history, required extensive evidence, including intercepted communications and financial records.
- The HLF’s exploitation of charitable status undermined trust in nonprofit organizations, leading to stricter regulations and compliance costs for legitimate charities, particularly those serving Muslim communities.
Geopolitical Impact:
- By funding Hamas, the Holy Land Five indirectly fueled the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, complicating U.S. diplomacy in the Middle East. The U.S.’s strong alliance with Israel meant that Hamas’s actions, supported by HLF funds, increased tensions with Palestinian communities and some Arab allies, who viewed the HLF’s closure as targeting humanitarian aid.
- The funds strengthened Hamas’s control over Gaza, enabling its social and military programs, which have led to ongoing violence, including the October 7, 2023, attack that killed 1,200 people, including 43 Americans. While the Holy Land Five’s actions predate this attack, their contributions to Hamas’s infrastructure had long-term consequences.
International Impact:
- In Israel, Hamas’s attacks during the Second Intifada, supported indirectly by HLF funds, killed over 1,000 civilians and injured thousands, destabilizing the region. The group’s funding of Hamas’s social services, such as schools and hospitals, also entrenched its political power, prolonging its ability to wage violence against Israel and its citizens, including dual U.S.-Israeli nationals.

Quantitative Estimate:

Human Cost: At least 12 American deaths in Hamas attacks during the Second Intifada, with hundreds of Israeli and Palestinian civilian casualties.
Financial Cost: $12.4 million diverted to Hamas, plus millions in U.S. investigative and legal expenses.
Broader Impact: Strengthened Hamas’s operational capacity, contributing to decades of violence and instability in the Middle East, with ripple effects on U.S. foreign policy and security.

Zohran Mamdani’s Rap Song and Its Context

In his 2017 song “Salaam,” released under the stage name Mr. Cardamom, Zohran Mamdani rapped, “My love to the Holy Land Five. You better look ’em up,” in a track described as reflecting his experience growing up Muslim in New York City.

The song, available on YouTube and TikTok, has been widely circulated, particularly after being highlighted by the antisemitism watchdog Canary Mission in June 2025. The lyrics have been interpreted by critics as praising the Holy Land Five, who were convicted of supporting Hamas, a group responsible for terrorist attacks.

The song also includes lines like “No ban. No wall. Build it up. We’ll make it fall,” which some, including Canary Mission, claim advocate for open borders and anti-American policies.

Mamdani’s supporters argue that the song is a youthful expression of his cultural and political identity, not an endorsement of terrorism. The Holy Land Five’s case remains controversial, with some Palestinian advocacy groups claiming the convictions were an overreach, targeting legitimate humanitarian aid.

However, the U.S. courts found overwhelming evidence, including financial records and intercepted communications, linking HLF to Hamas. Mamdani has not publicly clarified the intent behind the lyrics, and his campaign did not respond to requests for comment when the controversy resurfaced.

The song’s presence on platforms like YouTube and TikTok, where it is often shared as “music” rather than political commentary, has amplified its reach. Clips have garnered thousands of views, with some users praising Mamdani’s artistry and others condemning the lyrics as pro-Hamas propaganda. This framing—music versus praise for terrorism—has fueled a polarized debate, with critics arguing that Mamdani’s failure to disavow the lyrics suggests sympathy for Hamas’s cause.

Mamdani’s broader political record adds context. He has been a vocal critic of Israel, calling its actions in Gaza a “genocide” in 2023 and 2025, and was arrested at a pro-Palestinian protest in October 2023. He also declined to sign a 2025 New York Assembly resolution condemning the Holocaust and celebrating Israel’s founding, citing concerns about the Israeli government’s conduct.

While he condemned Hamas’s October 7, 2023, attack as a “horrific war crime,” his past statements and the “Salaam” lyrics have led critics, including Republican figures like Rep. Andy Ogles and Curtis Sliwa, to label him a “Hamas sympathizer” and question his fitness for office.

The Danger of Mamdani as Mayor of New York CityMamdani’s potential mayoralty, set to be decided in the November 2025 general election, raises serious concerns given his reference to the Holy Land Five and his broader political stances. The dangers can be assessed in several dimensions:

Security Risks:
- New York City, home to the largest Jewish population outside Israel (over 1 million), has faced heightened antisemitic incidents since the October 7, 2023, Hamas attack. Mamdani’s lyrics praising the Holy Land Five, who supported Hamas, could embolden extremist rhetoric or actions, undermining public safety. Posts on X, including from Canary Mission and Rep. Elise Stefanik, warn that his leadership could exacerbate tensions and put Jewish communities at risk.
- The NYPD, already stretched by domestic and international terrorism threats, could face challenges under a mayor perceived as sympathetic to a terrorist organization. Mamdani’s advocacy for defunding the police, as noted by critics, could further weaken security measures in a city that remains a prime target for terrorism.
Diplomatic and International Implications:
- As mayor, Mamdani would represent New York City on the global stage, including in dealings with international leaders. His perceived support for the Holy Land Five and criticism of Israel could strain relations with U.S. allies, particularly Israel, and complicate New York’s role as a hub for diplomacy (e.g., hosting the United Nations). His call for arresting Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu under an ICC warrant further signals a confrontational stance that could alienate key partners.
- The U.S. government’s ongoing efforts to combat terrorism financing could be undermined if a major city’s mayor is seen as endorsing figures tied to Hamas, potentially emboldening other groups or individuals to exploit charitable organizations.
Polarization and Social Cohesion:
- Mamdani’s lyrics and political positions have already sparked a barrage of Islamophobic and xenophobic attacks from Republicans, including Rep. Andy Ogles’s call for his denaturalization and deportation, Rep. Nancy Mace’s 9/11 references, and Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene’s depiction of the Statue of Liberty in a burqa. These attacks, while deplorable, reflect the deep divisions Mamdani’s candidacy could exacerbate in a city already grappling with racial and religious tensions.
- His failure to address the “Salaam” lyrics directly risks alienating moderate voters and fueling distrust among communities, particularly Jewish New Yorkers, who may view his silence as tacit approval of Hamas’s actions.
Governance and Trust:
- Mamdani’s campaign, focused on affordability and progressive policies like free childcare and rent freezes, has resonated with young and Muslim voters. However, his past as a rapper praising convicted terrorists raises questions about his judgment and ability to govern a diverse city of 8.3 million. Critics, including former Mayor Eric Adams, argue that his socialist policies and alleged extremism could destabilize New York’s economy and public safety.
- The controversy over his lyrics, combined with his refusal to engage with critics on the issue, could erode public trust in his administration, making it difficult to build coalitions or address crises effectively.

Critical AnalysisThe Holy Land Five’s actions caused undeniable harm by strengthening Hamas, a group responsible for American and Israeli deaths. The $12.4 million they funneled was a fraction of Hamas’s budget, but its impact was significant, enabling attacks that killed at least 12 Americans and destabilized the Middle East.

The U.S.’s response—shutting down HLF and prosecuting the Five—demonstrated a commitment to counterterrorism, but the case remains contentious, with some arguing it unfairly targeted Palestinian aid efforts.Mamdani’s “Salaam” lyrics are deeply problematic, as they appear to glorify individuals convicted of supporting terrorism.

While he may have intended to highlight the Holy Land Five’s narrative as victims of overreach, the lack of context in the song and his failure to disavow it in 2025 amplify perceptions of extremism.

His broader anti-Israel stance, while aligned with some progressive and Muslim communities, risks alienating New York’s Jewish population and moderate voters, potentially fracturing the city’s social fabric.However, the Islamophobic attacks against Mamdani, including calls for his deportation and 9/11 comparisons, are disproportionate and exploit his Muslim identity for political gain.

These attacks distract from legitimate criticism of his lyrics and policies, muddying the discourse. Mamdani’s condemnation of Hamas’s October 7 attack and his focus on affordability suggest he is not a direct threat to national security, but his judgment in referencing the Holy Land Five raises valid concerns about his leadership in a city vulnerable to terrorism.

The danger of Mamdani’s mayoralty lies less in explicit support for terrorism—there’s no evidence he has engaged in such activities—and more in the perception of sympathy for Hamas’s cause, which could undermine trust, security, and diplomacy.

New York City, as a global financial and cultural hub, requires a mayor who can unify diverse communities and navigate complex international dynamics. Mamdani’s failure to address the “Salaam” controversy head-on leaves a cloud over his candidacy, potentially jeopardling further division.

Conclusion

The Holy Land Five’s support for Hamas had a tangible impact, contributing to American deaths, costly investigations, and regional instability. Zohran Mamdani’s 2017 rap song praising them, still circulating on YouTube and TikTok, has cast a shadow over his mayoral candidacy, raising questions about his judgment and fitness to lead New York City.

While his progressive policies and social media savvy have galvanized young voters, the unresolved controversy over his lyrics, combined with his anti-Israel rhetoric, poses risks to the city’s security, social cohesion, and international standing.

As New Yorkers approach the 2025 election, Mamdani’s ability to address these concerns transparently will be critical to proving he can govern effectively—or risk confirming critics’ fears of a divisive and dangerous mayoralty.