On the heels of the terrorist attack in New Orleans, many Americans have renewed concern over the potential for more attacks orchestrated by terrorists, whether they are home grown, crossed the border illegally, or otherwise.
Many of these attacks are inspired by the teachings of hardline Islamists. Sheikh Abu Usamah At-Thahabi, one of Britain’s most controversial hate preachers, has returned to the United States to spew his extremist rhetoric to all those willing to lend an ear. Some might question whether his hateful words could inspire the next attack.
The Gateway Pundit spoke to Anna Stanley, a Research Associate for Focus on Western Islamism (FWI), an online platform that offers counter-Islamist investigative journalism, opinion, and news to its readers.
According to Stanley, “Sheikh Abu Usamah At-Thahabi, a U.S. national, gained notoriety in the U.K. for his extremist rhetoric while serving as imam at Green Lane Masjid in Birmingham.”
In 2007, the British television series Undercover Mosque provided examples of At-Thahabi’s sermons, which “[called] for violence against homosexuals and Jews, as well as support for figures like Osama bin Laden.”
Shockingly, At-Thahabi now serves as imam at Masjid As-Sunnah in Kissimmee, Florida. “The exact reason Sheikh Abu Usamah At-Thahabi left the U.K. isn’t entirely clear, but there’s speculation that it could be tied to political reasons,” Stanley offered. Following the uncovering some of Green Lane Masjid’s troubling ties by FWI, she said, “[there was] the suspension of a major £2.2 million ($2.8 million) government grant in 2023, which likely didn’t help his relations at the mosque.”
While it’s not confirmed, these events could have played a role in his decision to leave the United Kingdom and move to the United States.
“About 30 years ago,” Stanley added, “At-Thahabi had his right to stay in the U.K. revoked, though that decision was later reversed, [so] it’s unclear whether something similar happened more recently.” Either way, the increased scrutiny may have contributed to his departure.
And at the end of December 2023, Kissimmee’s Masjid As-Sunnah officially announced that At-Thahabi had accepted the position of imam. “Since arriving in Florida,” Stanley said, “At-Thahabi has already started delivering his controversial sermons.”
She explained, his rhetoric continues to include anti-Semitic and anti-Christian statements.
For example, in a June sermon, he declared that “the Jews resemble Satan, they trick and deceive you; Jews are poisoning our community; are slumlords; I make supplications against them every day.”
Stanley said he has also criticized Muslims for wishing others a “Merry Christmas,” framing it as compromising Islamic values and calling Christianity “paganism.”
“Despite his notorious reputation,” Stanley admitted, “his presence has not deterred people from attending his mosque.” Rather, she said, “he has attracted visitors from across the U.S.”
For Florida and beyond, she said, “this is bad news because At-Thahabi’s radical views pose a real risk of promoting division and potentially inspiring radicalization.”
For Stanley, his presence in Florida is “concerning,” considering his recent anti-Semitic and anti-Christian rhetoric.
“He’s already making the most of free speech laws, which, by allowing more open expression, also make it easier to identify extremists,” she pointed out, also noting “this can have its negatives, as figures like At-Thahabi can more freely spread divisive messages, potentially increasing their influence and the risks of radicalization.”
In contrast, she said, the U.K. has stricter laws that require extremists to be more cautious about expressing their hatred. However, in the United States, she argued, “it’s harder to prevent the spread of harmful ideologies.”
The solution, Stanley said, is not to impose English-style rules against free speech, but for At-Thahabi’s critics and adversaries to exercise their right to free speech.
“Moderate, reform-minded Muslims, people in the local interfaith community in Kissimmee and the surrounding towns need to challenge the mosque where At-Thahabi preaches hold them to account for spreading such vicious vitriol,” she suggested.
Thus, for Stanley, an important preventative measure against the spread of dangerous ideologies is “ensuring effective community engagement and education by promoting open discussions about Islam and offering counter-narratives to extremist ideologies.”
She said, “Local mosques and their leaders have a vital role in teaching peaceful and moderate interpretations of Islam [which are adhered to by most U.S. Muslims].”
According to her, “The U.K. has benefited from having problematic mosques shut down under anti-terrorism legislation when there are clear signs of radicalization.” She said, “This approach helps limit the influence of extremist figures and prevents them from having a platform.”
Additionally, Stanley expressed that “strengthening surveillance and monitoring of extremist activities without infringing on free speech is essential.” Law enforcement and community organizations need to collaborate to identify early signs of radicalization and intervene before these ideologies can take root, she explained.
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