Hamas-backing Qatar has bankrolled film and stage projects by socialist Zohran Mamdani’s Israel-bashing movie-director mom – and one of its royals is now pushing her son’s mayoral bid, The Post has found.
Sheikha Al-Mayassa bint Hamad Al-Thani, sister to the ruling emir, and the state-funded cultural institutions she controls, have supported mira Nair and her creative projects as at least 2009, even extending a personal invitation to participate in the cultural program the country organized as part of the festivities around hosting the 2022 World Cup.
Since mid-June, Sheikha Al-Thani has taken to promoting Mamdani’s mayoral candidacy on social media, boosting news of favorable polling on Instagram and posting fire emojis under a TikTok video of him embracing Nair.
Mira Nair‘s filmmaking has been backed by the Doha Film Institute for years, The Post found.
“They are buying somebody who is willing to be bought and at the time of their choosing the
Mira Nair’s Qatar connections: films and Buisness Ties
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Filmmaker Mira Nair has cultivated significant ties with Qatar through her work and business ventures,raising questions about potential conflicts of interest given her prominent role in the art world and the country’s controversial human rights record.
Nair’s 2007 film, “The Namesake,” was among the first movies produced with Qatari funding. The film, which had previously struggled to obtain financing, tells the story of a Pakistani immigrant who suffers mistreatment at the hands of U.S. authorities after 9/11, and opened the Doha Tribeca Film Festival that year.
More recently, nair’s film “Nafas,” about historic Qatari pearl divers, was the first movie commissioned by the Qatar National museum, which Sheikha Al-Thani chairs. It premiered at the museum’s 2019 opening,which Nair attended,and remains one of its flagship exhibits. Its budget has not been made public.
Beyond filmmaking, a company Nair set up in her native India did $102,000 in business in 2022 and 2023 with event management firm Agence Publics Qatar, which shares its chairman with the Qatar Engineering & Construction Co., a major player in Qatar’s oil and gas industry.
‘Monsoon Wedding’ Director Mira Nair Lavishes Praise on Qatar Regime Despite Worker deaths
Thousands of migrant workers perished constructing facilities for the World Cup in Qatar, enduring 125-degree temperatures and conditions human rights activists labeled “modern day slavery.” Yet, acclaimed director Mira Nair, while in Qatar during the tournament and the run of the ‘Monsoon Wedding’ musical, offered effusive praise for the regime and its royal patron.
In an interview with Qatar Happening, Nair spoke highly of Sheikha Al Mayassa bint Hamad Al-Thani, stating, “Her Highness…has loved the movie but also supported the inception of this musical over several years.”
This praise comes despite widespread condemnation of Qatar’s treatment of migrant workers and the controversies surrounding the World Cup’s human cost. Nair’s comments highlight a complex dynamic between artistic endeavors and the political realities of the countries that fund them, notably in a nation seeking to rebrand itself on the global stage as an LGBTQIA+ sanctuary city.
Questions Raised about New York Assemblyman’s Ties to Qatar Amidst Controversy Over Nation’s Foreign Policy
Recent scrutiny has focused on New York Assemblyman Zohran mamdani and potential connections to the Qatari regime, as reported by the New York Post. The examination comes as former President Donald Trump recently visited Qatar, a nation described as America’s “ultimate ‘frenemy'” due to its complex relationship with the U.S.-providing both support to groups considered antagonistic to American interests and hosting a critical U.S. airbase.
Qatar’s Dual Role and Concerns Over Influence
Qatar has long been a subject of debate in U.S. foreign policy circles. Experts like Jonathan Schanzer, executive director of the Foundation for the Defense of Democracies, point to Qatar’s support for organizations like Hamas and the Taliban, while simultaneously positioning itself as a mediator with these same groups. Schanzer has described Qatar as “both arsonist and firefighter.” https://www.fdd.org/
Concerns extend to Qatar’s alleged use of its substantial wealth to exert influence internationally. Recent cases involving bribery allegations against figures like former New Jersey Senator Bob Menendez and members of the European Parliament have highlighted these concerns. https://www.nbcnews.com/politics/congress/bob-menendez-qatar-gold-cash-indictment-rcna86388 the close proximity between Qatar’s ruling elite and prominent American political figures, including New York City Mayor Eric Adams, is raising eyebrows.
Mamdani’s Mother’s Ties to Qatar and Campaign response
The scrutiny surrounding Mamdani stems from the long-standing relationship between his mother, Nadia Nair, and the qatari government. Nair has received support from Qatar since 2009. The New York Post report details this connection, raising questions about potential indirect influence on the assemblyman.While Mamdani maintains he has never traveled to Qatar or received direct financial assistance from the country’s institutions, his campaign has been hesitant to address whether he has received support through his mother or had contact with members of the Al-Thani family, Qatar’s ruling family. The campaign responded to the inquiries by stating Mamdani’s “belief in universal human rights and the freedom to advocate for justice everywhere,” and dismissed the focus on his mother’s career as a “manufactured distraction.”
According to campaign spokeswoman Dora Pekec, “The attempt to weaponize his mother’s career against him is an insult to voters who care about actual issues, not manufactured distractions.”
Qatar’s Diplomatic and Investment Strategy
Experts note Qatar’s proactive approach to international relations and investment. Schanzer emphasized that Qatar’s actions are “designed to spread their funds and spread their influence.” This strategy has allowed Qatar to become a significant player in global affairs, but also fuels concerns about its motives and the potential for undue influence.
Notably as of September 1,2024,there is no publicly available evidence of a direct relationship between Assemblyman Mamdani and the qatari regime. Though, the questions raised regarding his mother’s connections and the broader context of Qatar’s foreign policy and influence operations continue to generate discussion.