Victims of the 1993 World Trade Center bombing are right to be terrified. A close friend of the terrorist who masterminded that attack could soon be waltzing into Congress.
Here’s what you need to know:
- Adam Hamawy, a plastic surgeon, is a leading candidate in the Democratic primary for New Jersey’s 12th Congressional District.
- Hamawy had a long-term friendship with Omar Abdel-Rahman, the “Blind Sheikh,” who was convicted for his role in the 1993 WTC bombing.
- Hamawy defended Rahman in court and has downplayed the Sheikh’s extremism, even though he attended an extremist conference with him.
“Leader of the Community” Running for Office?
Imagine the audacity: Adam Hamawy, this New Jersey Democrat, once called a convicted terrorist a “leader of the community.” The “Blind Sheikh,” a man responsible for the deaths of six innocent people and the wounding of over a thousand more, was just a misunderstood community figure, according to Hamawy. Even after all these years, the pain is real for those who lost loved ones in the 1993 bombing.
One victim, Michael Macko, whose father William Macko was killed in the attack, rightly said some things are unforgivable. Macko stated, “These are people being associated with the very horrific killing of my father… your immediate reaction is just unbelief.” Another survivor, James Outerbridge, who also survived the 9/11 attacks, said there’s no place for people like Hamawy in government.
A Terrorist Sympathizer in Congress?
Hamawy’s connection to the “Blind Sheikh” isn’t just some youthful indiscretion. He actively defended this terrorist in court. He even went on a 13-hour road trip with the Sheikh to a conference featuring extremist speakers talking about jihad. Hamawy claims he never heard Rahman discuss terrorism, but does he really expect us to believe that?
The galling part is how Hamawy dismisses these concerns as “right-wing, MAGA smears.” It’s the go-to playbook for the left: when confronted with legitimate questions, simply label it as right-wing extremism. The families of the victims deserve better than this.
What Does This Mean for Our Future?
Hamawy’s potential election is a frightening symptom of a broader problem: the normalization of radical elements within the Democratic Party. This is not about “smears.” This is about accountability. If someone with such a questionable past can be embraced by a major political party, what message does that send? It tells us that principles and values are expendable in the pursuit of power.
This situation should serve as a wake-up call. We must demand that our elected officials condemn terrorism unequivocally and reject anyone who has ever supported or defended it. Failure to do so is a betrayal of our nation and the memory of those who have been lost. The rise of radical ideologies must be stopped, or who knows where we will end up?
Is this the kind of representation that New Jersey truly deserves?
