Mamdani refuses to condemn radical Islam after ISIS-inspired bomb attack as disturbing new details emerge
Mayor Zohran Mamdani on Monday repeatedly refused to condemn the pair of alleged bomb throwers as ISIS-loving radical Islamists who were charged with bringing IEDs near Gracie Mansion during an anti-Muslim protest.
“They are suspected of coming here to commit an act of terrorism,” Hizzoner said during a press conference outside Grace Mansion, flanked by NYPD Police Commissioner Jessica Tisch.
“There’s video of these two individuals throwing two devices towards the protest. The police department has determined that these were improvised explosive devices made to injure, maim, or worse.”
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A pair of alleged ISIS-loving radical Islamists were charged with tossing IEDs near Gracie Mansion over the weekend. AFP via Getty Images
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Ibraham Kayumi, 19, and Emir Balat, 18, were arrested following the incident. AFP via Getty Images
He added, “Let me say this plainly: Anyone who comes to New York City to bring violence to our streets will be held accountable in accordance with the law.”
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On Sunday, Mamdani issued a mealy-mouthed statement denouncing the organizer of a right-wing anti-Muslim rally — but not directly commenting on the alleged bomb tossers.
“Yesterday, white supremacist Jake Lang organized a protest outside Gracie Mansion rooted in bigotry and racism. Such hate has no place in New York City. It is an affront to our city’s values and the unity that defines who we are,” the statement said.
“What followed was even more disturbing. Violence at a protest is never acceptable. The attempt to use an explosive device and hurt others is not only criminal, it is reprehensible and the antithesis of who we are.”
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Mayor Zohran Mamdani refused to condemn radical Islam during a press conference on March 9, 2026 about the pair of ISIS-supporting teens who attempted to detonated IEDs outside of Gracie Mansion on Saturday. Matthew McDermott for NY Post
Mamdani, the first Muslim mayor of the city, railed against the anti-Muslim protesters but did not mention that the counter-protesters were allegedly self-radicalized by ISIS videos.
He again stopped short of condemning radical Islam in a statement following the unsealing of the criminal complaint.
“Emir Balat and Ibrahim Kayumi have been charged with committing a heinous act of terrorism and proclaiming their allegiance to ISIS,” he said in a statement. “They should be held fully accountable for their actions.”
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The interior of one of the IEDs the pair attempted to detonate outside on Saturday. Obtained by the NY Post
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Bolts, nuts, and screws can been seen inside one of the homemade explosives. Obtained by the NY Post
Kayumi, 19, and Balat, 18, both of Pennsylvania, were arrested following the incident on Saturday after an IED was tossed near the protesters.
The feds unsealed a five-count criminal complaint in the Southern District of New York on Monday afternoon.
Here’s the latest on the bombs thrown outside Gracie Mansion
Balat shockingly told detectives he hoped the casualty count would surpass that of the tragic bombing of the Boston Marathon in 2013.
Cops initially believed the devices tossed were merely homemade smoke grenades. But they were later determined to be highly volatile bombs that failed to go off.
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A courtroom sketch of Emir Balat and Ibrahim Kayumi in Manhattan federal court on March 9, 2026 for their arraignments. Elizabeth Williams via AP
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NYPD and the FBI were seen transporting Ibrahim Kayumi and Emir Balat. Lone Pine Press for NY Post
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The duo was transported from the 26th Precinct on Monday morning. Lone Pine Press for NY Post
“These were not hoax devices, nor smoke devices,” Tisch said.
“It is, in fact, an improvised explosive device that could have caused serious injury or death.”
The pair of Muslim fanatics allegedly built a homemade bomb with “Mother of Satan” — triacetone triperoxide, or TATP, a volatile explosive commonly used by international terrorists.
A third device was discovered in a black 2010 Honda linked to the alleged wannabe terrorists parked on East End between East 81st and 82nd streets. Using a robot, Tisch said, the device was removed — but later tested negative for explosive material.
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The two men had come to Manhattan to counter-protest right-wing agitator Jake Lang, who held an anti-Muslim demonstration outside Gracie. REUTERS
The two men had come to Manhattan to counterprotest right-wing agitator Lang, who held an anti-Muslim demonstration outside Gracie dubbed “Stop the Islamification of NYC.”
“This was a vile protest rooted in white supremacy,” Mamdani said at the top of his prepared remarks Monday.
“I’m the first Muslim mayor of our city, anti-Muslim bigotry is nothing new to me, nor is it anything new for the 1 million or so Muslim New Yorkers,” he said, adding, “While I found this protest appalling, I will not waver in my belief that it should be allowed to happen.”
Mamdani and his wife were not home on Saturday. Instead, the couple spent the day at the New York City Sign Museum in Brooklyn.
Tisch confirmed at the press conference that the act was being investigated as “ISIS-inspired terrorism.”
The FBI took over the investigation on Sunday and searched the two suspects’ homes in Bucks County, just outside Philadelphia.
