Rama Duwaji Co-Hosts $4,000 Corsica Retreat Framing Virgin Mary as Palestinian

Q: Why is Corsica the chosen destination for this controversial spiritual wellness event?

Corsica appears to have been chosen mainly because it fits the retreat model: private, scenic, spiritually resonant, and well suited to high-end wellness travel. The island is widely marketed as a quiet Mediterranean destination with clean air, mountain-and-sea landscapes, limited mass tourism, and a slower pace that supports reflection, prayer, and wellness programming. That matches the retreat’s format of communal worship, lectures, organic meals, and personal contemplation. Corsica also offers the kind of discretion and exclusivity that organizers of niche retreats often seek. Reporting and background material describe it as a sought-after but relatively low-profile destination, attractive to travelers who want privacy rather than a crowded resort setting. The event’s price point—more than $4,000—also fits Corsica’s reputation as a costly, upscale summer destination. There is also a thematic reason. The retreat centers on Mary in the Quran, and Corsica has a strong historic Christian culture in which the Virgin Mary remains prominent through churches, shrines, and local religious traditions. That gives the setting a symbolic backdrop for an interwoven discussion of Mary, devotion, and womanhood. Finally, the choice may reflect practical familiarity. The Women Sanctuary has reportedly used Corsica for similar retreats before, suggesting the island is already an established venue for its programming, logistics, and audience.

3 articles · Updated · Fox News · Jul 10

A sold-out Corsica retreat running through July 14 lists New York Mayor Zohran Mamdani’s wife, Rama Duwaji, as a co-host for a “Mary in the Quran” program that describes the Virgin Mary as a “Palestinian woman” under occupation.
The Women Sanctuary says the event centers on Islamic spiritual renewal, with lectures, devotional practices, communal prayers and free time for meditation or reflection; prices start at just over $4,000 per attendee.
The group’s website does not explicitly name Duwaji as a co-host for the France event, though the New York Post reported she would help lead it after previously appearing as an “artist in residence” at the group’s Mallorca retreat over the July 4 weekend.
Duwaji, a Syrian American artist, has already faced scrutiny over pro-Palestinian activism and apologized in April for offensive teenage posts, adding to political attention around Mamdani’s own pro-Palestinian positions.