New York City’s first lady, Rama Duwaji, is set to resume her role as “artist-in-residence” at a high-priced Islamic calligraphy retreat in Portugal this September, a decision that has drawn sharp criticism from local officials who say her frequent luxury travel is out of touch with New Yorkers’ needs.

Rama Duwaji, the 29-year-old wife of Mayor Zohran Mamdani, is scheduled for two sessions at The Women Sanctuary’s “Journey through Islamic Calligraphy” retreat in Portugal’s countryside, with dates set for September 16, 21 and September 25, 30. The retreat, billed as a restorative escape in a manor house near Arcos de Valdevez, offers participants activities like illustration workshops led by Duwaji, picnics, nature walks, and poolside relaxation. Prices begin at $4,300 for a shared room, climbing to $5,260 for a private suite, according to promotional material cited by the New York Post.

The retreat’s website describes the experience as “a space for suhbah, spiritual reflection, and presence, where hearts can soften, souls can be nourished, and remembrance can arise naturally amidst the beauty of creation.” The venue boasts both indoor and outdoor heated pools and landscaped gardens, features that have fueled criticism from city leaders who say the first lady’s priorities are misaligned with her public role.

Reactions from City Council: “Jet-setter” accusations and charges of hypocrisy

Queens City Councilwoman Joann Ariola did not hold back, saying, “Former first ladies spent their time visiting schools and doing charitable work. Being Zohran Mamdani’s wife must be very stressful because this first lady is more interested in vacations than she is in matters that affect New Yorkers.” Ariola’s remarks reflect a growing sentiment among local officials that Duwaji’s travel and activities are out of step with the expectations for someone in her position.

Former councilman Bob Holden echoed these concerns, accusing Duwaji and the Mamdani administration of hypocrisy: “They’re acting like jet-setters when they’re supposed to be for New Yorkers but they’re anything but. She’s a good example of the hypocrisy of this administration.”

Pattern of luxury retreats and controversial travel plans

The Portugal event is not Duwaji’s first foray into high-end spiritual retreats. She previously served as artist-in-residence for The Women Sanctuary on two other occasions this year, including a gathering in Corsica, France, from July 9, 14, and a retreat in Mallorca, Spain, during the United States’ 250th birthday celebration. The frequency and timing of these trips, especially when juxtaposed with major American holidays, have drawn additional scrutiny.

Duwaji is also slated for travel to Lebanon and Syria this September, destinations the State Department classifies as “Do Not Travel” for Americans. The purpose of this trip reportedly includes visiting family, but it sparked a minor scandal when City Hall initially claimed she would be accompanied by an NYPD security detail, an assertion the New York Police Department later denied. Mayor Mamdani blamed his own staff for the communication mishap, but the episode further fueled questions about transparency and priorities in the mayor’s office.

Political views and public scrutiny

Duwaji’s public statements have also come under the microscope. In a 2015 Tumblr post, she wrote, “American soldiers fighting in imperialist wars are not brave nor are they fighting for anyone’s freedom. They are mercilessly slaughtering 3rd world civilians and fighting to maintain American hegemony.”

While Duwaji’s defenders may argue that her artistic work and international travel help foster cultural understanding, critics say these trips send the wrong message at a time when New Yorkers are looking for leadership and engagement on pressing local issues. The lavish price tags on her retreats and the exclusive venues stand in stark contrast to the daily struggles of many city residents.

Luxury, symbolism, and the question of public service

The Women Sanctuary describes its retreat as an opportunity for “spiritual reflection” and immersion in Islamic art and heritage, with Duwaji leading illustration workshops that celebrate cultural legacy. But for critics, the optics of New York’s first lady vacationing at expensive European retreats, while city officials and taxpayers grapple with budget constraints and rising costs, signal a disconnect between the administration’s rhetoric and its actions.

For many New Yorkers, public service is about showing up, not jetting off. When city leaders and their families choose luxury over local engagement, it’s the taxpayer who’s left wondering whose interests really come first.