Rama Duwaji, the first lady of New York City, is co-hosting a pro-Palestinian spiritual retreat on the French island of Corsica this week, an event that has drawn attention for its religious and political framing. The all-female gathering, organized by Women Sanctuary—a Muslim- and women-centered travel group founded by Parisian designer Rym Nur—is described as a commemorative occasion honoring Mary, the mother of Jesus, whom organizers refer to as a “Palestinian woman giving birth under occupation.”
The sold-out retreat, beginning Thursday, will take place at a 15th-century monastery and primarily involves Muslim participants who will engage in prayers, lectures, and farm-to-table meals, all infused with expressions of solidarity with Palestinians. Women Sanctuary’s website emphasizes Mary’s veneration in Islam as the only woman named directly in the Qur’an, where her story symbolizes faith, devotion, and spiritual resilience.
The event echoes themes from a similar retreat held last year in Corsica, which Vogue Arabia reported focused extensively on Palestinian women’s experiences, including accounts from attendees who recently volunteered at Gaza’s Nasser Hospital. One such volunteer shared stories of women giving birth amid bombardment, paralleling Mary’s own narrative as depicted in the Qur’an. Attendees received handmade keffiyehs from Palestinian designer Sarah Musa, with proceeds supporting the Palestine Red Crescent Society and the Palestine Children’s Relief Fund.
Both aid organizations have faced scrutiny over alleged links to Hamas. The Palestine Children’s Relief Fund, based in California, has stated it rigorously complies with U.S. laws to prevent funds from reaching terrorist groups. The Palestine Red Crescent Society has asserted its independence and adherence to international protocols, denying any connection to Hamas.
The retreat’s venue, Corsica, holds historical and symbolic significance. Nicolas Battini, director of the Mossa Palatina movement on the island, noted Corsica’s unique role during World War II as a French territory that did not participate in Jewish deportations, earning it the designation “the island of the just.” Battini highlighted Corsica’s consistent support for Israel, especially in the aftermath of the October 2023 Hamas attack that resulted in the deaths of approximately 1,200 Israelis.
Duwaji, known for her outspoken views and cultural projects, recently declined participation in America’s 250th anniversary celebrations to attend another Women Sanctuary retreat on the Spanish island of Mallorca. There, she served as artist-in-residence for a “Plants Of The Quran” workshop, which was also sold out.
The spiritual retreat has sparked debate regarding the intersection of faith and politics, particularly over framing Mary within a contemporary Palestinian context. Some scholars caution against conflating historical religious narratives with current conflicts. Rachel Fulton Brown, a history professor at the University of Chicago, described the attempt as “historically complicated,” suggesting that applying modern political realities to ancient figures may not aid in resolving ongoing tensions in Gaza.