The Arabic at the top of his Facebook page is from the Qur’an: it is the first few verses of the Fatihah, the Qur’an’s first chapter and the most common prayer in Islam. “In the name of Allah, the Compassionate, the Merciful. Praise be to Allah, Lord of the worlds, the compassionate, the merciful, master of the day of judgment.”
“Police Commissioner William Bratton said it was unclear what provoked the attack.” Of course. The evidence points in a direction he doesn’t want to go in, so he has to find something else.
“Hatchet-wielding man attacks NYPD officers,” by Benjamin Landy, MSNBC, October 23, 2014 (thanks to Marc):
A New York City police officer is in critical condition and another is stable after a man with a hatchet attacked four officers on the street in Queens, New York on Thursday, officials said. The other officers then opened fire on the man, killing him and accidentally striking a nearby woman, who was later treated for non-life threatening injuries.
Police Commissioner William Bratton said it was unclear what provoked the attack, NBC New York reports, but law enforcement agencies nationwide have been on high alert following fatal terrorism-linked attacks on uniformed soldiers in Canada on Wednesday and another on Monday.
The incident began around 2 p.m. when the officers were asked by a freelance photographer to pose for a photo. A hatchet-wielding man then charged at the group from behind – “unprovoked and not speaking a word,” according to Bratton – striking one officer in the arm and another officer in the head. The other two officers then opened fire, killing the attacker.
The man is captured on video pulling the 18.5-inch hatchet from a black backpack, police say.
While Bratton said authorities were working to identify the assailant, police sources told NBC News that the attacker had been tentatively identified as Zale Thompson, a 32-year-old man with a Facebook page containing images of what appears to be a Muslim warrior and prayers. However, authorities have found no links to extremist literature or jihadi groups at this time.
NBC has not independently verified the alleged suspect’s Facebook page or personal information, which lists him as having attended Teachers College at Columbia University.
“This matter has not officially been deemed an act of terrorism as the initial investigation is still ongoing and details are being developed,” the FBI said in a statement Thursday evening, NBC New York reports. But the agency said the incident highlighted the need for “increased vigilance” by law enforcement and the government.
terry says
A message to the west:
Continue this same course of wilful ignorance and obfuscation of the real cause of all this shit that is going on the streets of North America and the worst is yet to come!
The only solution is to look the evil in the eye and face it with courage and determination and say it is what it really is !
terry says
I am sure the police chiefs now are busy preparing a letter to all Muslim leaders in the greater New York region, assuring them of the support of authorities in facing any backlash against Muslims and preparing a special hotline for Muslims to call if there was any act of harassment!
Running to such course of action by the authorities, first thing after every act of terrorism on western countries soil, not only make matters worse but help to reinforce the self perception of Muslims, here in the west, as being the real victims instead of constituting part of the problem, by fusing emotionally their identity with that religion, leading to defending it blindly and ferociously which lead to more confusion and escalating Jihad terror to new highs!
They should be told something like:”As citizens of these western countries your rights will be protected; no act of violence, as vengeance, against you will be tolerated. Meanwhile this is your religion, this is what it teaches, this is its ideology and this is its belief system. If you don’t like it, leave it! If you like it bear the haunt or the shame, if you feel any, of belonging to it, don’t expect us to help you feel being victims here!
To all so called “moderate” Muslims, I say it is about time to grow up!
Jim Mark says
Definition #1 Moderate Muslim=Bad muslim that hasn’t been following the Qur’an to the letter yet
Definition #2 Moderate Muslim=muslims that haven’t acted in violence at the moment
boakai ngombu says
definition #3 moderate muslim = someone who wants to kill you but hopes someone else will, instead
voegelinian says
There are other categories of Moderate Muslim that, just because they go by other labels, often seem to squeak by under the Counter-Jihad radar.
For example, a long-time anti-Islam Jihad Watcher, “Salah”, promotes the idea of the Moderate Muslim — only under other labels (whether he knows he’s doing this or not, is of tangential importance). From another thread:
Salah
October 24, 2014 at 1:20 pm
“Bibeau…had recently converted to Islam and had a lengthy history of crime, including arrests and jail time for drugs charges, robbery and assault.”
There are 3 categories of Muslims:
1- Cowards (those who converted to Islam out of fear and those who are still Muslims for the same reason.)
2- Ignorants (those who don’t care or know nothing about their religion.)
3- Criminals (and sexual perverts.)
We should protect the first, educate the second, eliminate the third.
Aside from the problem of the sweeping claim to read the minds of millions (perhaps tens or hundreds of millions) of Muslims implied by this breezy categorization, there is the problem of our inability to sufficiently distinguish bona fide examples of these categories for our #1 priority, the safety of our societies.
Then — even granting that such categories exist out there and that we can pinpoint who they are amid a sea of taqiyya — there’s Salah’s imposition of an obligation on us to expend time, effort and money trying to help two of these categories, the fearful Muslims (“Cowards”) and the Muslims Who Don’t Know Their Own Islam (“Ignorants”).
And Salah isn’t alone in this tendency in the Counter-Jihad, to find other categories and other names for what is essentially the Moderate Muslim by another name. But it’s the fetid rose by another name that stinks the same.
shosh7154 says
There’s a muslim in the Whitehouse. NO amount of evidence will convict islam.
Shane says
This is the third jihad attack in North America in less than a week. ISIS is inspiring bloodthirsty Muslims to kill infidels. More Jihad attacks will be coming. Be careful out their people and make sure you bring a weapon when you are in a city with lots of Muslims!
the Oracle says
You go THAT right, terry.
tash says
I for one don’t don’t blame all Muslims. People do need to understand that muslin is not Islam. The true Muslims of this religion are peaceful and excepting. They are not extremist or terrorist. That is Isis and the jihad. Please don’t put them all in the same catagory. They too sit back helplessly watching there loved ones getting murdered and there land being destroyed there faith being turned evil. Muslims are not evil Isis is evil.
Tradewinds says
Right – do not fall for the propaganda of Abdullah up there, er, excuse me, tash. Islam is a plague on the world.
citycat says
Perhap you don’t know muslims, but most are for Jihad, even if heart broken over his sons dying for Islam.
Powerful peer pressure is at work.
Beagle says
Not all Muslims?! What?! That’s the first time someone has brought up that straw man only to knock it down and walk away triumphantly.
People at Jihad Watch have been debating types of Muslims and percentages since 2003, for the record.
There are a lot of bad Muslims, and sympathizers who turn bad when push comes to shove. It is a question of loyalty. Muslims tend to be loyal to other Muslims over all other concerns, like mere decency or doing the right thing.
eib says
Islam commands conquest and mass murder of infidels. It is profane, the use of evil magic.
james says
Stop making excuses for Islamists/ Muslims. There are all part of the same disease that is hell bent on destroying the planet
EvenSo says
Will the nice peaceful Muslims please stand up and state publicly what is wrong with Isis and the jihadi type Muslims, we would like to hear from ALL of you.
Laura says
I’m sorry but muslims are evil, as a quick sprint through the ‘holy book’ will confirm. Of course, not every muslim commits acts of pure brutal and savage barbarity. However, the silence of the ‘moderates’ makes them complicit in the evil being perpetrated by IS, Al Shabab, Boko Haram, Hamas and a host of other groups who would kill all non-believers if they had even half a chance.
If you keep repeating the mantra that, IS are not Islamic, for long enough, eventually you will believe it to be a fundamental truth.
Time for a reality check maybe?
shosh7154 says
I worked with a nice man who is a muslim who told me one day that anything I say against islam will be rewarded by islam. He said that he will not report me to the supervisor for speaking negatively about islam, he will take care of the problem himself. Very nice man.
dumbledoresarmy says
In other words, he has **threatened you **.
Jon says
Of course not all Muslims are evil. Muslims are people, just like Christians are people, just like atheists are people. You are no different to me. The problem is your religion. That western values are broken I agree with. What I don’t agree with is forcing people to convert, violence, the subjugation of peoples and of people within society. Christianity has done of all these things in its history and the actions of some who called themselves Christians I do not agree with. But it has realised that it must separate itself from secular society and it no longer treads a path of violence. Islam seems to increasingly be headed in the opposite direction. Can a god who demands conversion or death, forced submission, a war of arms against infidels, be seen as the one true God? I don’t think so. Tash is not Aslan. Aslan is not Tash. There is no Tashlan. There is no god but God and Christ is His Son. Follow Him if you wish. The choice is yours. The evils of the world will always be with us.
Champ says
Indeed, not all muslims are terrorists, but the vast majority of terrorists are muslims.
And recently I watched The O’Reilly Factor, and Bill said, “The #1 problem facing our world right now is terrorism.”
Which means that islam & company are enemy #1!
AnneM says
I am really begining to question if there is really a such a thing as a “moderate” Muslim. If there are really any, then they would condemm each and every terror attack. Otherwise they are in silent support of what those who do jihad.
Champ says
tash, even satan appears as angel-of-light–much in the way that you have done here.
Hey no one is buying your garbage, tash, so take your “trash” to the dumpster, pal …
Ice Star says
Let me guess… workplace violence.
Salah says
@tash
I agree with you, tash. We cannot blame all Muslims. Most of them are victims of the likes of ISIS. Most of them are Muslims because their ancestors have been forced to embrace Islam. Most of them are still Muslims out of ignorance or out of fear.
We must remember that it only takes a few well armed and well trained jihadists to terrorize a whole population into submission.
Here’s an example:
http://www.jihadwatch.org/2014/10/islamic-state-beheads-crucifies-and-shoots-700-people-who-revolted-against-their-rule
AnneM says
You forget that “silence” equals “consent” or “support of”.
Salah says
@AnneM
“You forget that “silence” equals “consent” or “support of”.”
or…”fear”!!!
http://www.jihadwatch.org/2014/10/islamic-state-beheads-crucifies-and-shoots-700-people-who-revolted-against-their-rule
Jen says
@Salah That can’t be used as a reason for not speaking out against what Islam truly teaches for much longer or this damn thing will never be eradicated. Who should be more fearful? The Muslims or the non-Muslims? This lack of condemnation is not all to do with fear. It is far more likely that, you know, being Muslim, that they actually believe that what their religion teaches isn’t an abomination, even when it is. If I came across even one of the abominations mentioned in Islamic texts, I would seriously wonder whether being a Muslim and defending it was worthwhile.
They don’t have to walk around in their spare time, wearing their hijabs or other Islamic dress when they move away from their family or hometown or county by themselves and nobody there knows who they are, or what religion they belong to. Does the way they dress indicate their acceptance of Islam and mean they believe what it teaches- part or in whole? Which parts? Does being a non-violent Muslim mean that they won’t try to push the Islamic agenda by insisting our food should be “halal” or spreading Islam through encouraging others to convert? Do those inspired converts turn into mass murderers in future and embark on jihad?
They voluntarily get their butts to the mosque, even the students who don’t live with their parents. They voluntarily criticise non-Muslims in how they dress- openly and more subtly by giving non-Muslim women the “look” with their eyes, they voluntarily post on internet forums in defense of Islam, they voluntarily choose to separate themselves from other members of their host country- rarely, if ever, have I seen a group of Muslim girls walking down the street where there is a non-Muslim girl walking among them in a social setting. The exceptions are work or tertiary study or high school or some other initiative where they are expected to mix.
For some reason, by coincidence, every time I moved to a different apartment, the floor I ended up on was a “Muslim floor.” None of any of the groups of Muslims I observed associated in their spare time with non-Muslims. Their “house gatherings” were always exclusively Muslim. This is consistent with other peoples’ observations that Muslims don’t like to assimilate (gee, I wonder why).
The men voluntarily behave as perverted as they do in their home countries- this is not a “one off.” Why do they have this attitude toward women, as conveyed by their behaviour? Particularly non-Muslim women. Where did it come from? Are they acting like this because they’re afraid to speak out against what Islam teaches? Or because they approve of it and it aligns with their own way of thinking?
How on earth are we supposed to systematically attack this disaster to the free world by not seriously confronting “moderates” and not expecting “moderates” to overcome all this supposed fear and actually force them to tell the truth about what Islam actually teaches.
Letting them tell the world that they are “the religion of peace,” when their Islamic doctrine doesn’t support this, is a waste of time. It isn’t the religion of peace. So they can keep saying this over and over until their brains fall out, and point to their own peaceful behaviour to defend this statement but it will never stop Islam being what it truly is.
Softly, softly, gently, gently, sympathy, sympathy, I know it’s hard, I know it’s hard, is not the way to fix this problem. Unless you want your country destroyed and you want to live in constant fear of the next time your town or city gets ambushed. This is the reality for some people in the world today, namely my relatives. How is that for a way to live…Talk about creating the perfect environment or catalyst for a heart attack or stroke…
shosh7154 says
I have read countless posts on the subject of Islam BUT never have I seen such precisely thought-out and encyclopedic understanding of what Islam looks like close-up, standing next to you, walking next to you and living all around you. Thank you JEN for the pleasure of your thoughts. With these words I am asking the G-d of Israel to protect you and guide you into his presence Jen, with all doors open for you to learn about Him and to take you home to Israel soon beloved yehudia…it’s time to go home, bashem Yeshua amein. AM ISRAEL CHAI le olam vaed
Jerry says
It must have been an Islamic peace activist, deeply concerned about the occupation of any part of this planet by non-Muslims, just like the Boko Haram, Taliban, Al Qaeda, Al Shabab, Abu Sayef, Al Nusra, Hizboullah, Hamas, the Muslim Brotherhood, Ansar Beit Al Maqdis, Islamic, Jihad, Hamas and many more.
See Article Seven of the “Hamas Covenant” and the Hadith quoted therein, re-affirming Hamas commitment to a genocidal agenda not merely against Israeli Jews but against al Jews wherever they are.
You might protest and question “What the heck does it have to with me?
I am not Jewish!”
Have no fear!. The Jews are merely first on the list. If you are non-Muslim whether you are Christian, Hindu, Atheist or other religionist – you are a target.
It is not that the world has started a war against Islam. Islam has been at a genocidal war against the rest of the world for fourteen hundred years, and, unfortunately, considers any sign of tolerance by others towards Islam as a weakness to be exploited.
I searched high and low, and, so far, I have not come across a single high ranking Islamic clergyman who is prepared to renounce or denounce any of the Jihadist, genocidal Suras or Hadiths .
It is time that the rest of the world wake up and mete out upon all Islamic Jihaddists exactly the treatment that they consider themselves bound to mete out to the rest of the world.
Wtf? says
Spot on. When you mix this religion with the Middle Eastern culture of honour and shame you have a toxic mixture. This is inbred and the ties of family honour or community honour are too strong. What was working was generational change but the fanatics within Islam had realised their flocks were drifting away hence the worldwide resurgence of the so called religion. Give it time and strict anti terrorism conditions over a long period and they will slowly due away.
terry says
Jerry,
Eloquently and precisely said!
Niels Henriksen says
Did they check out that freelace photographer?
It sounds suspiciously like a set up with the mad hatchett man “innocently lurking
in the background, ready to strike, when the attention of the police officers was diverted. Maybe the plan was even to record the whole ting on video for later propaganda purposes for IS?
ben t says
The U.S.A Congress should declare war, officially, on all jihadists, isil, and their supporters wherever they may be thereby deeming them military combatants and subject to summary military courts, Sweeping? HOPEFULLY SO!
EYESOPEN says
Very, VERY good point, Niels. But the “photographer” probably disappeared at the first sign of trouble.
Elaine Goode says
Who loves ya, Muslim baby? Obama, Kerry, the NYC mayor, the police force…that’s who! Why should they care if a policemen are attacked with a hatchet? Islam is a great religion. What other religion is so antagonistic to human beings? Huh!
Oceanside says
” . . . authorities have found no links to extremist literature . . . ”
Um, didn’t they just say the Qur’an was quoted on his fb page?!
Henry says
“If you’ re not careful, the newspapers will have you hating the people who are being oppressed, and loving the people who are doing the oppressing,” MALCOM X
if you want to know about Islam read Qur an.
if you want lies about Islam read media
How careful are you with media
you know what media lies can do
Media need fool people for they lies
not smart people like you
I believe we’re too smart to become media’s victim
dumbledoresarmy says
Henry: are you trying to tell us here at this forum that Islam is ‘really’ good and that the media are telling lies about wonderful, wonderful Islam in order to make it look bad??
Or do you mean that Islam is really EVIL – which, in fact, it *is*, as any sane non-Muslim person is normally led to conclude after reading the Quran and the Sira, which is what most people here at this forum have done – and that the media are telling lies about it to try to make it look good?
Jen says
Bugger off Henry. Please.