Terror: Talking & Thinking Points

Here we go again. 

The mainstream media is once again blaming a Muslim convert’s violence on their faith, instead of any other factor.

The New York Times reports that the alleged New Orleans terrorist “had been acting erratically, “being all crazy, cutting his hair” after converting to Islam. 

Contrast this reporting with any of the 488 mass shootings that took place in the United States in 2024. How many shooters were blamed for their acts because of their faith or lack of it? Why did the New York Times not connect Brad Spafford of Virginia to his faith? The FBI arrested this white man earlier with 150 explosive devices. He was engaged in target practice with President Joe Biden’s photo. 

President-elect Donald Trump, referring to the New Orleans attacker, said, “criminals come in,” whereas the alleged criminal is not an immigrant. He is an army veteran of the Afghan war from Texas who was honorably discharged. The Las Vegas attacker was an active duty army soldier, Matthew Livelsberger.

We are being told that the Texas veteran recorded videos. What does he say in those videos? Perhaps we will never know. Just like other terrorist acts in the U.S., there is no open judicial process for us to know more authentically. Was he talking about the ongoing genocide in Palestine? Was he upset with Trump's election? Why did both army veterans choose January 1, 2025 to attack?

Action Items:

• Tell the New York Times that their story is Islamophobic and that it inspires hate toward Islam and Muslims. No wonder scholars have noted that the New York Times reports on Islam as worse than cancer or cocaine. Tweet them at @nytimes to stop Islamophobic reporting. Here is the problematic article.
• Although condemning terrorism has become almost a sixth pillar of Islam among Muslims in America, we advise the community that if they have not issued any statements when 488 mass shootings took place in the U.S. last year, there is no need for them to issue another statement. Muslim communities are no more guilty than white Americans for terrorist acts committed by those of the same race or religion.  
• We invite you to volunteer to engage the media. 

Thinking Points & Talking Points

• The terrorist attacks in New Orleans and Las Vegas on January 1, 2025, are likely to increase Islamophobia, especially given President-elect Donald Trump’s track record, instituting the Muslim Ban, among other racist and bigoted policies, during his first term in office. 
• Such legislated Islamphobia will come as American Muslims and their Jewish and other allies are hurting deeply because of the ongoing, U.S.-funded and supported Israeli genocide in Palestine. 
• White supremacists will further push Trump’s vicious anti-immigration agenda - this is despite the fact that the alleged attacker was not an immigrant, but a U.S.-born American citizen.
• The crackdown on Muslim and Latino communities, specifically, will weaken civil rights and civil liberties for all. Since 9/11, the erosion of rights and the expansion of surveillance, starting with the 2001 Patriot Act, has seeped into American culture and life. Historically, minority communities are the guinea pigs for such U.S. government overreach. Ultimately, everyone pays the price. 
• America is today more polarized and divided than ever - even more so than following the 9/11 attacks. Under President-elect Trump, who has built his entire brand of governance on open expressions of bigotry and dehumanization, this will only worsen. It will pit American against American when we desperately need the kind of unity that can stand against threats, both physical and psychological, that were unimaginable even a decade ago. 

War-terror-Islamophobia reinforce each other. This nexus has resulted in tremendous loss of lives around the world. Here are some casualties of this carnage: 

• According to Brown University’s research, the total death toll of this vicious cycle is at least 4.5-4.7 million and counting.
• More than 7.6 million children under five in post-9/11 war zones are suffering from acute malnutrition.
• Israel’s genocide in Palestine has seen 45,000 death certificates issued while physicians believe the death toll is close to 300,000.

Impact on American Muslims:

• Stopbullying.gov reports that 48% of Muslim families reported an incident of religious-based bullying. 
• A CAIR-CA survey says that 40–50% of Muslim students have consistently reported being bullied.  
• It has become difficult to build a mosque.
• Muslim Americans are more likely to be poor in America than any other community -  

What Imams and Khateebs Can Do:

Israel’s genocide of Palestine is the first in human history that is being broadcast in real-time all over the world. Israeli soldiers themselves are posting viral videos of their atrocities - with pride. Tje Israeli military includes 23,380 Jewish Americans serving who are most likely engaged in the genocide of Palestine. No country in the world dares to stop Israel while it is being fueled by our own tax money. 

We don’t know yet what the alleged New Orleans terrorist’s motive was or that of the one in Las Vegas. However, we do know that the post 9/11 “war on terror” gave rise to more terror. 

There is a clear risk that Israel’s ongoing genocide may inspire some people to fall into the frustration-aggression trap. Many people are depressed. Some may be suicidal. At least three people have self-immolated themselves in America because of Israel’s U.S.-supported genocide. Others might become violent. 

This is why Muslim leaders and Imams must channel this anger into positive energy for change. We request our imams, khateebs and leaders to consider the following:

• Devote khutbas and talks to help people manage their anger. 
• Share our  6 things every Muslim can do for a successful 2025.
• Encourage them to adopt the 3 Cs of the Prophet’s Success Strategies.
• Encourage them to develop a personal plan for positive action (Amal Saleh) like protests, boycotts, political empowerment, media engagement, education, fighting Islamophobia, etc. It is also important to show how these methods not only work, but were used by our Prophet Muhammad, God’s peace and blessings be upon him. Here are some tips to develop a personal plan.
• Keep making Dua for Palestine, Kashmir, Rohingyas, Uyghurs and Indian Muslims. At least once a week we must continue extended Duas to include all oppressed people at home and abroad. Submitting to Allah with Sabr and Salat (patience and prayer) as He says helps. (Quran 2:45)
• Remember that we don’t control the world, Allah the Almighty does. Our responsibility is limited. Even the Prophet, peace be upon him, was told that his duty is limited, he could not force people to accept God’s Message (Quran 88:21-26).
• Remember that Allah’s timing is different from our timing: “Do not suppose that God is unaware of what the Dhalimeen (oppressors) do: He only gives them respite until a Day when their eyes will stare in terror” (Quran 14:42). Occupation, apartheid, and genocide are the highest forms of oppression. 

How ISIS Hurts Islam:

God Almighty has declared taking one life is like taking the life of the whole of humanity. ISIS’ theology is, however, the street theology of anger. They think an “eye for an eye” can be applied as an innocent eye for another innocent eye.

ISIS is a product of the war on terror. It reinforces the vicious cycle of war-terror-Islamophobia in the World. ISIS does not follow Islamic rules of war and almost always hurts Islam and Muslims, not the enemies of Muslims. That is why Sound Vision had launched a major campaign against ISIS a few years ago.

Muslims are More Peaceful Than Their Neighbors:

Although the media would have you believe otherwise, Muslims are the most peaceful people on earth despite being subjected to a lot of Dhulm (oppression). They are striving for freedom, justice, and Islam. It is an honorable struggle. Some Muslims, however, have resorted to violence against innocent people, which is condemned by almost all Muslim leaders. 

• The FBI interviewed 700,000 American Muslims after the 9/11 attacks and found this community to be very peaceful.
• Big data analysis of the Bible and the Quran proves Islamic teachings emphasize mercy. It was, however, Israeli Prime Minister, Netanyahu, who  referred to  genocidal verses of the Torah to commit the genocide of Palestinians. 
• Here is an article that shows how Muslims are more peaceful than their neighbors.

May Allah protect our country and our people. May God give Sabr (patience) to the oppressed and guide the oppressors. May Allah bless us with Amal Saleh (positive action) and good deeds.