Fashion icon. It Girl. The new spokesperson for Gen Z and chic activism. The anti-Melania. The list of nicknames and epithets associated with the First Lady of New York stretches to infinity, like the mix of sauces at the street food stalls of the Big Apple. Rama Duwaji’s face has established itself as one of the symbols of counterculture in Trumpist America. Artist, designer, animator, illustrator, social advocate, feminist, and Muslim. The wife of the mayor of New York met Zohran Mamdani through a dating app, Hinge, which is essentially a Tinder with space for profiles and ideological reflections. Together they form a duo that exemplifies the resistance to the most aggressive form of Republicanism and to the ultracapitalist American establishment in popular culture. Their latest act of defiance has been to flee to Mallorca for a spiritual retreat in a farmhouse in Deià, in the heart of the Serra de Tramuntana, to join the Fourth of July celebrations commemorating the 250th anniversary of the U.S. birth as an independent nation.
Born in Houston just 29 years ago, Duwaji has managed to capture her Syrian heritage in her work within an artistic framework that champions Arab culture and social justice. The retreat in Mallorca is part of an initiative led by Parisian designer Rym Nur called Women Sanctuary. The idea is to combine Islamic tradition with the celebration of feminine spirituality during a few days of tranquility and contemplation spent amidst bucolic Mediterranean landscapes. It is open to all women, regardless of their religion. The organization makes it clear on its website: “Spiritual retreats for women in the heart of the Mediterranean, rooted in Islamic tradition, mindfulness, and the sacred. An ode to Allah.”
An ode to Allah
The workshops in Deià were part of the ‘Plants of the Quran’ program. “Through contemplation, study, and direct contact with the gifts of creation, we explored the hidden wisdom, healing properties, and spiritual symbolism of these blessed plants. Each leaf, seed, fruit, and fragrance became a reminder of the divine signs scattered across the earth, inviting us to deepen our connection with Allah and His creation.” Fitrah is one of the key concepts of this retreat. “At the heart of our sanctuary is the journey back to fitrah. In Islamic tradition, fitrah is the original essence that God has placed within every human being, a pure and innate disposition that draws them toward truth, goodness, and a deep awareness of the Divine (…) Returning to fitrah is an invitation to listen again to that inner call, a gentle unfolding that allows the heart to love, the soul to breathe, and our natural closeness to the Divine to return effortlessly.”
The Women’s Sanctuary emphasizes that these retreats are dedicated to this “sacred return to God,” focusing on offering participants a space for reflection, relaxation, and rest. In addition, the participants enjoy “abundant and comforting meals.” The retreat in Mallorca, which took place from July 1 to 6, was followed by another in Corsica, in a 15th-century monastery, from July 9 to 14, thus concluding the Mediterranean getaway. The organization is planning new events in other locations outside the Mediterranean region, such as Porto and Zanzibar.
Reservation deposits of 3,000 euros
It’s not exactly cheap. Reserving a spot at the luxurious Deià residence – with mountain views, a pool, a courtyard, and extensive gardens – costs about 3,000 euros. Duwaji, however, did not attend merely as a participant; rather, as an artist, he led his own workshops, focused on the theme of ‘blessed plants’ that underpinned the entire experience.
Republican-leaning American media outlets have been quick to harshly criticize Duwaji, accusing her of leaving her husband alone during celebrations and official events on such a significant date in order to prioritize her personal interests. Another episode of ideological and cultural defiance in the ‘silent revolution’ led by the First Lady of New York.
