Yitzhak ben Moshe, Editor/Reporter
This piece will contain the reporter’s opinion, which will be written in italics at the end of the article.
Abu Hudhaifa al-Ansari, spokesman for the Islamic State, has praised the Moscow terror attack that killed 140 people in Russia last week. Today, al-Ansari took to the encrypted messaging app Telegram to call on “lone wolves” to target Christians and Jewish people, especially in US, Europe, and Israel during the holy month of Ramadan.
Al-Ansari also claimed that the presence of American troops in Iraq would “lead to more attacks from the group.”
These statements from al-Ansari come as he commemorates the 10th anniversary of ISIS’ declaration of a caliphate in Iraq and Syria in 2014.
In an audio speech, al-Ansari called on members in Mozambique to “double attacks” and militants in the Philippines to “move operations into major cities.”
Recently, four men, members of ISIS, were charged with attacking a Russian concert hall that killed 130 people.
Moscow’s Basmanny District Court formally charged Dalerdzhon Mirzoyev, 32; Saidakrami Rachabalizoda, 30; Shamsidin Fariduni, 25; and Mukhammadsobir Faizov, 19, with committing a group terrorist attack resulting in the death of others. The offense carries a maximum sentence of life imprisonment.
ISIS, though an Islamic ideological and terrorist group, is not representative of all Muslims. The group has even targeted Muslims in various countries for their refusal to follow Islam as interpreted by the Islamic State.
“This is a group of hate,” says Amin Aziz Dawood, a Muslim who has sought refuge in the United States due to his sexual orientation. “The overreaching goal of this disgusting group is dominance and control to feed the egos of the lesser-educated leadership of the Islamic State.
ISIS has a perverted view of the Quran, as well as the Hadith of their prophet, Muhammad.
ISIS follows an ideologically radicalized blend of Qutbism and other Wahhabi teachings, sharing roots with both but deviating significantly in many aspects.
While primarily Wahhabi, ISIS diverges from that tradition in several key areas, including dynastic alliance, advocacy for a global caliphate, extreme violence, and apocalyptic beliefs.
What we do know about ISIS is that even among the most orthodox, literalist Imams, you’ll be able to find strong opposition to ISIS ideology. Even Hamas, a Palestinian Sunni group, is regarded by ISIS as apostates without legitimate authority to lead jihad.
ISIS also considers all Muslims that oppose them as Kafir: Shia Muslims are apostates. Progressive Muslims are apostates, and so on.
“I did make this living being the teacher to the girls,” says Abu Bakar Nawaz, who fled Afghanistan because of ISIS. “This school we make for teaching girls for them to have empowerment was burned by ISIS. Because of the school, they also murder my wife.” (Translated from Dari almost directly to English)
Abu Baker Nawaz said he and his wife wanted the girls in their community to grow into women who would produce positive changes within Afghanistan and Islam. Sadly, ISIS had other plans.
As ISIS calls for renewed violence towards Christians and Jews around the world, be cautious. Even though we may think they are in some faraway land, they may be walking around our neighborhoods.
ISIS, Hezbollah, and even Hamas may have cells in Israel, the United States, the UK, or elsewhere. Remember what was reported on 9 March 2024:
A Lebanese migrant who was caught sneaking over the border admitted he’s a member of Hezbollah, he hoped to make a bomb, and his destination was New York, The Post can reveal. Basel Bassel Ebbadi, 22, was caught by the US Border Patrol on March 9 near El Paso, Texas.
ISIS may already be among us.
As a Jew, I have no problem with many Muslims. Most want to live peaceful lives every day. It’s the violent minority I am suspicious of.
Watching the news on television, the media likes to overuse video clips and sound bites of the vocal, violent minority. We must guard ourselves against allowing such reports to color our way of thinking and acting toward our Muslim cousins.
For example, I was recently dining in a restaurant and having a salad when a random Muslim asked if he could join me for lunch. I invited him to sit down, and we began talking.
My new friend, Abu Adam, said he felt safer eating with me than sitting alone. It was then I noticed all the eyes staring at us with suspicion. When Abu Adam left, everyone watched him until he drove away in his car.
We were both traveling by car, each heading to separate destinations. Abu Adam called me to say he arrived safely, and we will meet again when he passes through Las Cruces, New Mexico.
Should we worry about ISIS committing attacks against those who do not follow their version of Islam? Yes, we should.
Should we judge all Muslims and be suspicious of everyone because of ISIS? No, we shouldn’t.
Still, be careful. The world is changing, and not in a good way.
Pray for Moshiach to come soon!
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