Texas Islamic Scholar Yasir Qadhi at May 2024 Islamic Conference Discusses Anti-Israel Student Protests: 'Victory Is Long Term,' Thousands of Americans Are Embracing Islam; U.S. Freedoms Make Muslims
At an Islamic conference titled Mercy to Mankind, held in Warren, Michigan in May 2024 by the Miftaah Institute, Texas-based Islamic scholar Yasir Qadhi of the East Plano Islamic Center (EPIC) spoke about Islam's growing presence in America and the role of campus activism in driving conversions. He emphasized that American freedoms allow Muslims to speak openly and organize without fear, stating that 'they cannot shut our voices down,' and that this environment enables Muslims to become 'more powerful than any entity and government on the face of this earth.' Dr. Qadhi, chairman of the Fiqh Council of North America and prominent leader of the U.S. Muslim community, said that thousands of people in the U.S. are embracing Islam, attributing this surge to the momentum of anti-Israel protests and the activism of Muslim students. He shared a personal story about speaking with a student during a protest at MIT and later receiving an email from the university's president informing him that the student had converted to Islam. He also noted that the next generation of Muslim Americans—Gen Z and Millennials—will rise to leadership roles in business and politics, underscoring that 'victory is long term.' Qadhi is one of the leaders of EPIC City, an Islamic housing project in East Plano, Texas. The conference video was posted on the Miftaah Institute YouTube channel on April 14, 2025.
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The Iranian Shi'ite Regime's Built-In Religious Mechanisms For Dealing With Grave Military Threats: Tactical And Temporary Concessions – Which It Calls 'Heroic Flexibility' – That It Has Employed Seve
Under various historical circumstances over the past 30 years, the leaders of Iran's Islamic revolutionary regime have made tactical concessions when facing a genuine military threat. The regime grants these concessions religious legitimacy based on Shi'ite Islamic history. It should be clarified that the Iranian regime is a religious-messianic regime that bases its activity on a systematic ideology and religious principles that it draws on as needed to justify its actions. According to the regime, such concessions are a tactical way to circumvent serious obstacles so as to achieve its strategic goals. Tactical concessions are essential when under Western pressure, so as to continue to pursue the aims of the Islamic revolution. Iran's nuclear program, which is aimed at acquiring nuclear weapons, is a strategic goal. It is aimed at ensuring the regime's survival and security, on the path to actualize the supreme goal of the Islamic revolution: a global Islamic civilization/Islamic world order led by Iran. It should be noted that Iranian Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei considers the figure of Hassan ibn Ali (625-670 CE), the Second Imam, as an role model. Khamenei draws inspiration from Hassan's actions against much more powerful political and military rivals and follows his example in similar circumstances while refraining from direct military confrontation with them. Khamenei translated into Farsi the book The Peace Treaty of Hassan[1] which analyzes the circumstances of Hassan's 661 CE concession on his demand to rule to his rival, the Umayyad caliph Mu'awiya ibn Abu Sufyan. The book justifies Hassan's decision to sign a peace treaty ceding the caliphate, because he was in a much weaker position than the Sunni Mu'awiya and his forces and feared that war with them would endanger his Shi'ite community and religion. The conditions Hassan set for his concession to Mu'awiya were aimed at ensuring that the peace would be temporary. For his translation of the book, Khamenei added to the title "The Peace Treaty of Hassan" the subtitle "The Most Heroic and Glorious Flexibility [narmash-e kaharmananeh, ] in History," underlining Hassan's tactical decision in negotiating with forces much stronger than his. The following are some examples of instances in which Iran's Islamic revolutionary regime made tactical concessions to boost its position when facing a stronger force. 1. During the regime of Mohammad Reza Shah Pahlavi, Khamenei, when in prison, began collaborating with the shah's security forces. He and his followers called this "heroic flexibility," narmash-e kaharmananeh (see Name Description (Sharh-e Esm) – Biography of Ayatollah Seyyed Ali Hosseini Khamenei). 2. In July 1988, the founder of the Islamic Revolution, Ayatollah Ruhollah Khomeini, agreed to a ceasefire with Iraq (UN Security Council Resolution 598) after eight years of war and economic devastation to Iran.[2] In October 2012, an article by Iranian Assembly of Experts member Ayatollah Mohi Al-Din Haeri Shirazi was published on Khamenei's website; it compared Khomeini's decision to stop the war to the Shi'ite Imam Hassan's decision to cede the caliphate to the Sunni Mu'awiya. In a July 2013 interview on the anniversary of UNSC Resolution 598, Expediency Council chairman Hashemi Rafsanjani, who was also Khomeini's right-hand man and president of Iran, compared Khomeini's decision to the Imam Hassan's decision to sign a peace treaty with the Sunni Mu'awiya. Also in 2012, Khamenei himself published several positive statements about Khomeini's decision to stop the war in 1988 due to Iran's severe economic situation, and stressed the achievements that followed this decision. 3. In 2003, as U.S. troops deployed in Iraq and Afghanistan and the Iranian regime leadership began to sense that it was besieged and faced an existential threat, the regime announced that it was temporarily suspending its nuclear program and accepting security conventions that it had until then rejected. 4. In September 2013, Khamenei used the term "heroic flexibility" – narmash-e kaharmananeh – to allow talks with the Obama administration despite Iran's nonrecognition of the U.S., the "Great Satan." This was aimed at obtaining international recognition for, and upgrading, Iran's nuclear program, and at getting the nuclear sanctions on Iran lifted. On Khamenei's website, the term "heroic flexibility" was explained as follows: "We do not oppose correct and logical diplomatic moves... I have for years believed in what is called 'heroic flexibility.' Flexibility is highly essential in certain places; it is very good. There's nothing wrong with it, but this wrestler, who is fighting against his rival, and in certain places shows flexibility for technical reasons, must not forget who his enemy is and what he is doing. This is the main condition [for concessions]." Khamenei made these statements to IRGC commanders on September 17, 2019. "Heroic flexibility means artistic navigation to achieve the goal. This means that if you walk in the path of God, you must... use various methods in all forms and all possible ways to achieve the Islamic goal and ideals... Some have interpreted this [term] to mean compromising on the Islamic regime's ideals and goals... This is a mistake... There are goals. The Islamic regime works to achieve these goals at every stage, to advance, to reach the excellent points and the summit, to create a great Islamic civilization... Of course, this is a gradual, piece-by-piece approach." Khamenei made these statements to 50,000 Basij operatives on November 20, 2013.[3] 5. In 2023, Khamenei again used the term "heroic flexibility" to allow talks with the Biden administration, with the aim of obtaining a lifting of all the American sanctions and U.S. recognition of Iran as a nuclear threshold state. On his website, he explained the term as "finding a way to overcome all the difficult obstacles and to continue on the path to achieve the goal." Khamenei said this on May 20, 2023.[4] 6. In February 2017, Iran removed a long-range ballistic missile that it was about to launch after the Trump administration issued an official warning. See MEMRI Inquiry and Analysis No. 1305, Facing Trump Administration, Iran Shows Fear And Military Self-Restraint, Halts Provocations, Threats, And Incitement – While Boosting Morale At Home And Delegating The Bulk Of Conflict To Its Proxies, March 20, 2017. It should be noted that now too, in the nuclear talks amid American and European pressure and President Trump's threats, Iranian negotiators are using ambiguous conciliatory statements, for example, that Iran "will not accept demands without something actual in exchange" and that "America has no choice but to recognize Iran's right to enrich [uranium] to the agreed percentage." At the same time, Iranian spokesmen have announced several times that "we have no intention of leaving the negotiating table." * Yigal Carmon is Founder and President of MEMRI; Ayelet Savyon is Director of the MEMRI Iran Media Studies Project.
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Florida Imam Abu Usama At-Thahabi: Muslims Should Not Apologize for Jihad or Fear It; Obama Is a 'Devil'; We Must Show Non-Muslims the Dominance of Islam by Making Them Move to the Side of the Street
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AQAP Leader Sa'ad Al-Awlaki Calls For Assassinations, Jihad Attacks On U.S. Officials – Including Trump, Vance, Rubio, Hegseth And Their Families - Elon Musk And His Companies, U.S. Military, Microsof
On June 8, 2025, Al-Qaeda in the Arabian Peninsula (AQAP) leader Sa'ad Bin Atef Al-Awlaki appeared in a video posted on in which he called for assassinations and attacks in the name of Jihad. He named President Trump, Vice President Vance, Secretary of State Rubio, Secretary of Defense Hegseth, Elon Musk, and their families as legitimate targets, along with anyone affiliated with the White House. Al-Awlaki stated that Jews in America should be targeted, and said that there are 16 million Muslims in Europe who must ensure that "not a single safe place" is left for Jews. Al-Awlaki urged Muslims to revive the "tradition of assassinations," describing it as the "greatest form of Jihad today." He said the targets should be the "leaders of apostasy," whom he labeled "Jewish Arabs," specifically naming the leaders of Egypt, Jordan, and the Gulf states. He appealed directly to military personnel in Arab countries, calling on them to take action. He said Arab pilots should strike "the Jews," U.S. military bases in the region, and American aircraft carriers. At the very least, he said, they should attack the palaces of Arab leaders, describing these as the "initial steps" that must be taken. Al-Awlaki claimed there are 4.5 million Muslims in the United States and said that they should carry out acts of retaliation without hesitation, stating: "Do not consult anyone about killing infidel Americans." Speaking over images of Manhattan skyscrapers, he said that the list of targets should be "effective," and declared: "There are no red lines." He called for attacks on U.S. government institutions such as the Senate, companies that support Israel or the U.S. military, including Microsoft and Elon Musk's businesses, and he urged hackers to strike both the American and Gulf economies. Al-Awlaki cited individuals who had carried out violence in the U.S., including Thomas Crooks, who attempted to assassinate Donald Trump in July 2024; Elias Rodriguez, who killed two Israeli embassy staffers in Washington, D.C. in May 2025; and Aaron Bushnell, who self-immolated in protest of U.S. support for Israel. He said that these men were not braver than Muslims who believe in Allah. He encouraged followers to study Inspire magazine, shown on screen with images and bomb-making instructions, and he concluded: "Revenge! Revenge! Let each do so with what he does best and excels at." Sa'ad Al-Awlaki: "Anyone who can revive the tradition of assassinations and is near the leaders of apostasy – those who support the war in Gaza with money, aid, and logistics, the Jewish Arabs, like the leaders of Egypt, Jordan, and all the rulers of the Arabian Peninsula – should not hesitate even for a moment. By Allah, [assassinations] are the greatest form of Jihad today. [...] "Those in the armies [of the Arab leaders] who have faith in their hearts, and fear Allah's punishment for abandoning their brothers in Palestine should make a move and do something now in these despicable and collaborating armies that protect the Jews and the apostate [Arab] rulers. This is especially true for the pilots. They should strike the Jews, the American military bases in the region, and the American aircraft carriers that are looming in the sea here. At the very least, they should strike the palaces of the treacherous Arab rulers – a dog's tail is just as impure as its head. [...] "As a first practical, and immediate measure, I call upon every Muslim in the infidel, criminal, and arrogant United States – and it does not matter if they are of Arab, American, or other descent, what matters is that they should be Muslims whose Prophet is Muhammad, and there are 4.5 million Muslims in America alone... I am saying to all of them: Revenge! Revenge! Do not consult anyone about killing infidel Americans. You should have a lot of determination and the list of your targets should be effective. Go after the scum of the earth and its greatest criminals. This is Trump and his VP. This is Elon Musk, his advisor and his supporter in terms of finance, administration, and technology. These are his Secretary of State and his Secretary of Defense. Go after their families, and all those who have any ties or are close to the politicians of the White House. There are no red lines after all that has been happening to our people in Gaza – the genocidal war, and the systematic, and deliberate killing of women, children, and the elderly. Reciprocal response is lawful, especially because they are continuing to kill our women and children in Palestine, Syria, Somalia, and Yemen. When they cease doing that, we will cease as well. "Go after the Senate – the parliament of the real Zionists. It is the den of evil and lair of pus and filth. Go after the institutions that support the Jews and the American government, like Microsoft, and all the companies that support the American Army, Air Force, or Navy, and any company that manufactures ammunition or other things. Go after Elon Musk's companies. They are legitimate targets, and so are all the similar companies that participate in the war against Muslims. "I say to the Knights of Hacking, the so-called 'hackers' among the Muslims, and to all the free people on earth who reject killing and crimes: Go after the American economy, as well as the economies of the Gulf countries that support and finance the Jews and the Americans. Do not cease doing that. Do not despair. We all do what we can do best. [...] "My Muslim brothers in America: The infidel American sniper Thomas Crooks was not braver than you are, in terms of self-sacrifice and death when he wanted to kill the tyrannical Trump. The same is true for the Christian Elias Rodriguez who recently killed two staff members of the Zionists' embassy in Washington, as well as Bushnell, the American soldier who self-immolated in front of the Jewish embassy in America, protesting their killing of Muslims. What are you doing, compared to these sacrifices? [...] "I advise you to read the English-language Inspire magazine. It contains a lot of guidance that will benefit every free person who is zealous for their religion. Let me remind you that the number of Jews in America is not small – there are about six million Jews [in the U.S.], about the same number as in Palestine. Moreover, a third of those in the occupied Palestinian lands have American citizenship. Our brothers in Europe: You are approximately 16 million strong. Do not leave a single safe place for Jews, just as they have not left any homes, shelters, or respite for the Palestinians. Even hospitals are being bombed over the heads of the sick and wounded, and the heads of the women, children, and the elderly. Revenge! Revenge! Let each do so with what he does best and excels at."
