NYC First Lady Rama Duwaji to Travel to Syria, Lebanon With NYPD Security

NEW YORK — New York City First Lady Rama Duwaji is scheduled to travel to Syria and Lebanon next month, accompanied by an NYPD security detail, according to the mayor’s office.
Duwaji, the wife of Mayor Zohran Mamdani, is expected to begin the trip on September 20 to visit family in the region.
Both Syria and Lebanon are subject to US State Department travel warnings due to security concerns. The decision to provide NYPD protection was made following a recommendation from the department, according to a spokesperson for the mayor.
“Upon the strong recommendation of the NYPD, the First Lady’s security detail will be joining her when she travels to visit family in Syria and Lebanon,” mayoral spokesperson Dora Pekec said.
The upcoming trip follows an overseas visit by Duwaji last month during which she reportedly did not have police protection. A source familiar with the security arrangements said Duwaji requested NYPD protection for the September trip.
Duwaji, 29, is a Syrian-American artist and illustrator whose family is originally from Damascus. She has publicly identified herself as a Syrian illustrator and maintains family connections to the region.
The security arrangement is part of the NYPD protection provided to the city’s First Family and will involve public resources.