Overview
- Duwaji stood beside mayor‑elect Zohran Mamdani in a black, laser‑etched tatreez‑embroidered top by Zeid Hijazi with a velvet lace Ulla Johnson skirt and Eddie Borgo earrings, a look widely read as a Palestinian cultural statement.
- Following the viral images, celebratory fashion and culture profiles contrasted with critical pieces that resurfaced her illustrations and captions denouncing Israel and U.S. support, including imagery of cash stacks labeled “Israeli war crimes.”
- Coverage also noted an Instagram story in which she added broken‑heart emojis to a photo of Palestinian influencer Saleh Al‑Jafarawi after his killing, a post used by critics to question her views.
- Duwaji, a Texas‑born artist who identifies as Syrian, has published work with outlets such as The New Yorker, the BBC and Tate Modern, and largely avoided public speaking during the campaign.
- She has no announced role in the incoming administration as Mamdani, now mayor‑elect, prepares to take office in January 2026, though some reporting credits her with behind‑the‑scenes input on campaign branding.