Radical extremist Michigan cleric Ahmad Musa Jibril, who has been previously linked to inspiring the London Bridge terrorist attack, has issued a call for American Muslims to wage Jihad against what he refers to as the “infidel West” and placed blame on the United States for what he describes as a “genocide in Palestine.”

Jibril, 51, a radical Islamist preacher born in Dearborn, Michigan, has shared videos on social media platforms, advocating for a more aggressive stance among Muslims in the United States. He argues that Muslims should distance themselves from what he labels a diluted “American-Zionist Islam,” one that he believes ignores the concept of Jihad.

In one of these videos, Jibril says, “Yes, there is holy war in Islam, it is Jihad.” He highlights that this concept might come as a surprise to those raised in the West, particularly those born or raised post-9/11, due to the rise of what he perceives as hypocritical interpretations of Islam influenced by American and Zionist interests. Jibril asserts that such interpretations are far removed from true Islam and are driven by ulterior motives.

Jibril’s rhetoric delves into the ongoing conflict between Israel and Hamas in Gaza, urging young Muslims in the U.S. to normalize the concept of Jihad. He stresses that Jihad should be a common term in discussions, social media, and mosques, signaling a need for a more proactive stance among Muslims.

President Biden does not escape Jibril’s criticism either, as he labels the U.S. leader a “terrorist” and lambasts his administration’s policies toward Israel. Jibril accuses Biden of losing sight of everything except his loyalty to and support for Jewish “occupiers.” He goes on to argue that the U.S. shoulders more responsibility for what he terms a “genocide in Palestine” than the “occupying Jews.” Jibril’s message underscores his belief that “the infidel West, particularly the U.S., are the enemies of Muslims.”

In a particularly concerning statement, Jibril suggests that Muslim mothers should instill in their infants “the love of Jihad and the ambition to become a mujahid and a martyr.”

Jibril’s online presence and the spread of his radicalizing content on social media have raised concerns, especially among impressionable young audiences. The ongoing war in the Middle East has acted as an “accelerant” for the dissemination of extremist ideologies related to Islam, analysts say.

Jibril had previously been identified as one of the most influential online recruiters for ISIS nearly a decade ago. He used his platform to encourage young people to travel to Syria and join the ranks of the terrorist organization.

A survey conducted in 2014 indicated that more than half of the likes and follows on Jibril’s social media accounts at the time were from ISIS members. His influence was substantial, particularly in influencing fighters to join ISIS and Al-Qa’ida in Syria.

One of the perpetrators of the deadly London Bridge attack in June 2017 was reported to have listened to Jibril’s sermons before participating in the attack, later claimed by ISIS.

Despite concerns, YouTube chose not to remove Jibril’s videos after a review in June 2017, concluding that the content did not advocate violence. This decision stirred controversy, as Jibril’s intentions to polarize and intensify differences were obvious.

Jibril’s history includes a conviction in 2004 on 42 criminal counts, including conspiracy, fraud, money laundering, and possession of firearms and ammunition. He served over six years in a high-security federal prison before his release in 2012.

Currently, Jibril maintains an active online presence with more than 31,000 followers across various social media platforms.

(YWN World Headquarters – NYC)