Dr. Debbie Almontaser

CEO of Bridging Cultures Group, when they build walls, we build bridges. Author of #LeadingWhileMuslim. RT 🚫 endorsements.

[Dr. Debbie Almontaser @DebbiAlmontaser]

In tears at the amazing turn out for #BodegaStrike by Yemenis and it's only 3pm.

[Dr. Debbie Almontaser @DebbiAlmontaser]

The Middle East Forum's smear campaign played a significant role in my departure as a school principal in 2007. Now @HuffPost is promoting them as a source.

This isn't information, it's content I believe contributes to harmful narratives about Muslim Americans. Do better.

#Islamophobia #MediaAccountability

[Nicholas Kristof @NickKristof]

The @nytimes confirms the @haaretzcom report that the UAE secretly warned Netanyahu that Hamas was planning a major attack on Israel shortly before Oct. 7; Bibi did not relay the warning to security officials. https://t.co/Rv8tzlkHAs

[Bill de Blasio @BilldeBlasio]

A war criminal has no right to lecture anyone about “safety.” Tens of thousands of Palestinians AND Israelis have died because of Netanyahu’s callousness and negligence.

[Dr. Debbie Almontaser @DebbiAlmontaser]

The @NYCCouncil announcement of $25.6 million for @BellevueHosp is commendable! Bellevue is very deserving of this funding for all that they do for NYC!

Was great to see this announcement being made with council members @vmmaloney @Lynn4NYC @CMMercedesCD46 @CMLindaLee Speaker @JulieMenin and Manhattan BP @bradhoylman and @RepJerryNadler!

[Lynn Schulman 舒曼琳 @Lynn4NYC]

Individuals living with severe mental illness often require specialized inpatient services to get the care they need. Today’s announcement of a $25.6 million @NYCCouncil investment in Bellevue Hospital’s inpatient psychiatric services represents a significant commitment to expanding access to high-quality mental health care for New Yorkers. Thank you to @SpeakerMenin and @vmmaloney for their leadership in making mental health services a priority.

[Dr. Debbie Almontaser @DebbiAlmontaser]

On Sept 13th, I spoke at a 9/11 remembrance event at Judson Church, and took a moment to honor someone I don't know personally, but I'm sure many of you do: Michael Massaroli Jr., the last speaker at the 9/11 memorial at Ground Zero.

As the final voice heard that day, he made sure people knew this anniversary shouldn't be used to cast hate on my Muslim brothers and sisters. It was beautifully sad. He honored the day, and he honored all of our humanity.

I want to pay him homage, pray for him, and thank him for his moral courage. We all deserve the right to live with respect and dignity.

#LeadingWhileMuslim #FAIR #JudsonChurch #Muslims

[Dr. Debbie Almontaser @DebbiAlmontaser]

The Girl Scouts is not a religious organization.

“My Promise, My Faith” simply gives girls space to connect their own faith and values to the Girl Scout experience, whatever that faith may be.

Inclusion means making room for girls to show up fully as themselves.

Let girls be who they are. 🎗️

#GirlsScout #LeadingWhileMuslim #FAIR

[Dr. Debbie Almontaser @DebbiAlmontaser]

On September 10th, Jews, Muslims, and Christians came together in NYC for the Children of Abraham Peace Walk, which Rabbi Ellen Lippmann and I co-founded in 2002.

We visited three houses of worship, heard from clergy, and were joined by 9/11 family members, first responders, community leaders, and elected officials.

As we walked together, we reclaimed the goodness of New York City and reminded one another that division will not define us. We will continue to stand together with dignity, compassion, and solidarity.

#ChildrenOfAbraham #PeaceWalk #Interfaith

[Dr. Debbie Almontaser @DebbiAlmontaser]

25 Years Later, My Door Is Still Open

Reflecting on 25 years since 9/11, and what it means to be a Muslim New Yorker, in a piece I wrote for the Daily News.

"Fear will always ask us to shut people out. Twenty-five years later, I still choose to let them in."

Swipe for the full story.

#LeadingWhileMuslim #FAIR #DailyNews

[CSPAN @cspan]

"My father Michael Massaroli...you do my dad's legacy and the legacy of all these victims no honor by using this tragedy to spread hate. We have seen a medley of people come up today, of all races, all religions, all creeds and this tragedy is just that, it's a tragedy. I've had to grow up and spend the past 25 years seeing people use it to hate on our Muslim brothers and sisters, to hate on people who don't look like them. That's wrong. That does no honor to the victims here...please stop."

Full video here: https://t.co/nWIx9b9yGR

[David Axelrod @davidaxelrod]

New Yorkers should be proud of the character and sensitivity with which their mayor represented them today and during the days leading up to the 9/11 commemoration. He kept the focus where it belonged.
https://t.co/YkvEg3vYqk via @NYTimes

[MP Arizona☀️🏳️‍🌈💙🌵🐕🐕‍🦺🫂💦🏜🐟🌴🎙🌎🌻♍️🌊 @AzPetrich]

More than 250 families of 9/11 victims have come forward to DEFEND Mamdani's attendance at Ground Zero ceremony.

They condemned "the anti-American accusations and islamaphobic sentiment" against him.

[Dr. Debbie Almontaser @DebbiAlmontaser]

@NYCMayor Mamdani is one of the most profoundly caring person I have ever met. I’m so happy to see he stayed to hear Michael Massaroli Jr. speech.

[MP Arizona☀️🏳️‍🌈💙🌵🐕🐕‍🦺🫂💦🏜🐟🌴🎙🌎🌻♍️🌊 @AzPetrich]

FACT: Zohran Mamdani was the ONLY senior most elected official who stayed after the 9/11 Memorial ended. He spoke with Massali Jr., the last person to read the names at the ceremony.

[Democrats Deliver @DemzDeliver]

🚨 Zohran Mamdani was the only senior official to stay until the end of the 9/11 memorial ceremony.

[Dr. Debbie Almontaser @DebbiAlmontaser]

Thank you Michael Massaroli Jr. for your moral courage to condemn Islamophobia.

Michael beautifully made the point to say his father’s tragedy and that of all the victims should not be used to spread hate.

[ABC News @ABC]

"You do my dad's legacy, the legacy of all these victims, no honor by using this tragedy to spread hate."

The son of a 9/11 victim who was killed in the attacks called out hate during the Manhattan ceremony commemorating the 25th anniversary of the Sept. 11, 2001 attacks.

[Dr. Omar Suleiman @omarsuleiman]

Today in my sermon, I spoke about Michael Massaroli Jr., who made it a point to say his father’s tragedy should not be used to spread hate.

And to all the beautiful people who stood outside our mosques today in solidarity: thank you. Your presence meant more than you know.

[Christopher Hale @ChristopherHale]

An amazing photo of Mayor Zohran Mamdani, Pope Leo XIV’s new archbishop of New York, Ronald Hicks, and Archbishop Elpidophoros

[Dr. Debbie Almontaser @DebbiAlmontaser]

Marking this September 11th Anniversary with a reflection and a reminder of how important it is to get to know one another for the sake of our humanity.

Twenty-five years after 9/11, my door is still open https://t.co/qR2pp1nByo

[Charlotte Clymer 🇺🇦 @cmclymer]

On the morning of 9/11, Mohammad Salman Hamdani was on his way to work when he diverted to the Twin Towers to help victims at what was clearly some kind of catastrophe given the billowing black smoke emanating from them.

He was an EMT and NYPD cadet, and it is believed he used his credentials to make his way through police lines in order to render aid and save lives.

During the weeks of rescue and recovery following that horrific day, his identification and his medical bag were found in the rubble of the North Tower. The remains also found in that spot would take five months to be identified as his through DNA testing.

He was 23.

His parents were Pakistani and Muslim immigrants and came to the U.S. when he was an infant. His mother was a middle school English teacher, and his father owned and operated a convenience store in Brooklyn.

Mr. Hamdani grew up in Queens. He attended Bayside High School, where he was on the football team. He graduated from Queens College in the summer of 2001 and knew he wanted to serve the public as a first responder.

He was given a police funeral with full honors the month after his remains were identified. Mayor Bloomberg and NYPD Commissioner Raymond Kelly were among the mourners and presented his parents and two younger brothers with a police shield.

He’s been honored in other ways. There are scholarships in his name at Queens College and Rockefeller University. There’s a street named after him in the Bayside neighborhood of Queens. He was cited for his heroism by Congress.

Mr. Hamdani was an American kid who grew up into a young man who wanted to serve his community, and he died trying to save the lives of others.