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The Conversation
The Conversation
Amin Saikal, Emeritus Professor of Middle Eastern Studies, Australian National University; The University of Western Australia; Victoria University

One is a former al-Qaeda leader, the other a US mayor. Guess which was invited to the White House

Donald Trump Zohran Mamdani United States Ahmed Al Sharaa the White House Syria New York Muslim Israel

Two prominent young Muslim figures have had an exceptional rise to power this year: Ahmed al-Sharaa in Syria and Zohran Mamdani in New York City.

While sharing a common religion, their political stories couldn’t be more different. As has US President Donald Trump’s treatment of them.

Trump has embraced al-Sharaa as a former Islamist rebel-turned-president, and invited him to the White House this week. At the same time, he has shunned Mamdani, a popularly elected mayor.

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