On Christmas day, The New York Times published a stunning article touting the charity of the Islamic terror organization, Hezbollah. In their article, the New York Times attempts to prove how the terror organization is really not that bad. They probably forgot about the 86 people Hezbollah killed in two separate attacks on the American Embassy in Lebanon, in 1983 and 1984.
Even Hezbollah, the Shiite political movement and militia that the United States has branded a terrorist organization, has helped ring in the season in previous years, importing a Santa to Beirut’s southern suburbs to distribute gifts.
Even Hezbollah, the Shiite political movement and militia that the United States has branded a terrorist organization, has helped ring in the season in previous years, importing a Santa to Beirut’s southern suburbs to distribute gifts. https://t.co/JTbtAgghQ3
Hezbollah is a radical Islamic terror group, that has killed more Americans through terror than any other group until 9/11.
A very popular mainstream Islamic leader, who denounces violence as part of the Muslim faith, Imam Tawhidi, took strong issue with the irresponsible efforts by the New York Time to sugar-coat the terror group, calling them “fools!”, and reminding them that Osama Bin Laden did charity work as well.
Hi @nytimes, Osama Bin Laden also cared for orphans. Despite being a terrorist, he did a lot of charity work as well. How about you write an article acknowledging his efforts too? Hizbullah is the other side of the coin. Their “good” doesn’t cancel out their terrorism. You fools!
Who is this brave Imam that speaks out against propagandists like The New York Times, for attempting to humanize terror groups like Hezbollah?
Last year, UK publication, The Spectator, caught up with the popular Imam, to find out why his message resonates with so many people of every race, origin, and religion. Imam Mohammad Tawhidi was born in Iran and moved to Iraq when he was twelve. His father was a senior Imam in Iraq.
Here is a portion of the interview with Imam Tawhidi by The Spectator:
By any measure, the trajectory of Sheikh Imam Tawhidi to public prominence has been remarkable. From relative obscurity in South Australian circles, Tawhidi has become one of this country’s chief voices condemning Islamist extremism. Even if the name doesn’t immediately register, chances are that you will have seen him in the media, appearing on numerous current affair programs or contributing to the Huffington Post.
Imam Mohhamad Tawhidi
Through his promotion of the harmonious elements within Islam – the moniker he runs by is, in fact, ‘The Imam of Peace’ – it would seem that Tawhidi would be an obvious poster boy for the Australian government. The Imam is young, well presented and articulate. He is charming, has successfully utilized social media and has a strong following amongst the Australian public. Perhaps most importantly to a government that yearns for unity amongst its electorate, Tawhidi is an immigrant who champions the integration of fellow expats into the Australian community. The complete package, as it were.
However, there is a barrier preventing Australian elites from supporting this maverick cleric, and that is that he does not follow the liberal narrative. Instead of simply condemning obscene teachings associated with his religion, Tawhidi demands modification. Rather than apologize for shortcomings within the immigrant community, the Imam has called for immediate action, encouraging a ban on Islamic schools and Islamist organizations like Hizb’ut Tahrir. Through this, Tawhidi has even received the endorsement of none other than Ayaan Hirsi Ali – perhaps the most famous anti-Islamist (and Islamic) activist in the world – who has suggested that Tawhidi should be ‘elevated’ to sit amongst and give counsel to politicians and leaders.
Tawhidi is, therefore, one of those rare public figures: a reformer who not only denounces elements of Islam but actually seeks to restructure its teachings and interpretations. However, in the current global environment, the courage to promote such ideas inevitably leads to danger; the threat of violence is so present that Tawhidi has been forced to implement constant security measures in both his professional and private life. Instead of meeting in person, we talked on the phone, with Tawhidi calling from a private number.
It was during this overseas study, in 2014, that Tawhidi saw it as his duty to speak out against the questionable elements enshrined in his religion. On a sunny day in the Iraqi city of Karbala, Tawhidi was standing outside a mosque when, within earshot, a bomb exploded. As crowds ran from the scene and emergency crews rushed to help the survivors, the speakers of the mosque announced to the street below that Islamic State forces had invaded Mosul. If ever there was a time to speak out against Islamist terrorism, it was then.
However, Tawhidi’s campaigning has attracted many critics within the Islamic community itself. Calling for the closure of Islamic schools is bound to court controversy, but it is his contention that Islamic teachings are the causal link to Islamist terrorist acts that seems to really rile community leaders. Following the Manchester bombing, Tawhidi appeared in a fiery TV exchange with Dr. Jamal Rifi, imploring his fellow guest to acknowledge that the Islamic holy scripture ‘teach(es) the beheading of people’.
Yesterday, in a stunning decision, it was announced that prosecutors have dropped charges against a man accused of attacking Imam Tawhidi in a mall parking lot.
PROSECUTORS have dropped charges against a man who was accused of attacking a controversial Imam by punching him in the face and pulling his beard.
The assault charges against the 22-year-old man were withdrawn in the Adelaide Magistrates Court last week.
Sheikh Mohammad Tawhidi accused him of punching him in the face and pulling his beard through an open car window at the Mawson Lakes Shopping Centre in November last year.
Following the assault, Imam Tawhidi told The Advertiser the attack was spurred by ideology and praised police for their help in arresting the man.
“He identified me when he walked past and it was duty according to religion to attack me,” Imam Tawhidi said.
“He knew what he was doing. I am in debt to the police for their help.”
Imam Tawhidi has previously asked for donations so he can improve security at his home and hire bodyguards after receiving threats online and being accused of being an apostate.
“My message will not change and this attack only proves me right,” he said.
We have no tolerance for comments containing violence, racism, profanity, vulgarity, doxing, or discourteous behavior. If a comment is spam, instead of replying to it please click the ∨ icon below and to the right of that comment. Thank you for partnering with us to maintain fruitful conversation.
