Former Hamas Leader Calls for ‘Day of Jihad’
Khaled Mashal, former head and founding member of the Palestinian terrorist group Hamas, has invoked international concern by calling on Arabs and Muslims to participate in protests on a day now being referred to as the “Day of Jihad.”
While residing in a Hamas office in Qatar, Mashal publicly urged the Muslim world to commit “jihad” and, in his words, “sacrifice their blood” in protest of Israeli forces preparing to intervene in Gaza. Mashal particularly cites this Friday, October 13, as a day for Muslims to express their anger.
“[We must] head to the squares and streets of the Arab and Islamic world on Friday,” Mashal said, as reported by Reuters.
A viral post on X (formerly Twitter) by the user Brother Rasheed translates and summarizes the public statement released by the former Hamas leader. According to the post, Mashal implored Muslim countries to collectively express their anger by sending a “message of rage” to Zionists and America.
Furthermore, Mashal made a fervent call for financial assistance from Muslims worldwide, a plea he dubbed “Financial Jihad.” The objective of this is to fund Hamas fighters in Gaza and compensate them for destruction.
Most importantly, Mashal said that now is the time for the theories of jihad to be applied.
“To all scholars who teach jihad … to all who teach and learn, this is a moment for the application [of theories],” Mashal said.
Mashal’s ominous and broad appeals, primarily focused on the ongoing strife between Hamas and Israel, have caused intelligence experts in the United States to fear that this rhetoric may motivate extremists in America to carry out terrorist attacks, particularly on Friday.
Conservative commentator Joey Mannarino stated in a now-viral post on X that Americans should “not leave [their] homes unless there is an emergency.”
“Avoid public transit. Avoid airplanes. Avoid travel,” Mannarino said.
Florida Congressman Matt Gaetz, voiced a different sentiment.
“FAFO,” Gaetz wrote on X. “Floridians are armed, we won’t be intimidated.”
The Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) released a statement attempting to reassure Americans, claiming that the agency “does not have specific and credible intelligence indicating a threat to the United States stemming from the Hamas attacks in Israel, we are closely monitoring unfolding events and will share relevant information with our state, local, federal and international law enforcement, intelligence and homeland security partners to ensure they are prepared for any impacts to public safety.“
“We will not hesitate to adjust our security posture, as appropriate, to protect the American people,” the FBI concluded.
The recent actions of terrorist groups in the Middle East have emphasized the importance of Americans having the ability to exercise their Second Amendment rights everywhere they go. It has also reminded Americans that there are great forces of evil in this world that do not share the same values as Western society. It is imperative during times like these to express gratitude for the safety and security afforded all Americans and do our part to maintain these qualities.
