Orlando Wedding Serves As Palestinian Islamic Jihad Homecoming
Hatem Fariz and Ghassan Ballut choose a happy occasion for a disturbing reunion.
Joe Kaufman is a Shillman Journalism Fellow at the David Horowitz Freedom Center and the Chairman of the Joe Kaufman Security Initiative. He was the 2014, 2016 and 2018 Republican Nominee for U.S. House of Representatives (Florida-CD23).
The Orlando, Florida wedding of Obaidah Fariz and Dania Rum superficially looked like most other weddings, a cheerful celebration with dancing and joyous laughter from family and friends. However, casting a pall over the enchantment of the event were numerous Palestinian flags, keffiyehs and those individuals alleged to be members of a vicious terrorist organization. They include the father of the groom, Hatem Fariz, and wedding guest, Ghassan Ballut, both of whom were named in an indictment charging them and others with a southwest Florida conspiracy to provide material support to Palestinian Islamic Jihad (PIJ).
The wedding between Obaidah and Dania transpired at Orlando’s Rosen Plaza, on December 26, 2021. The prior night, a gathering of men took place poolside and at the hotel’s restaurant, led by the groom’s father. The majority of photos from the gathering contain images of Gassan Ballut, the West Bank-born founder and Director of al-Nahda, a Chicago-based outfit that refuses to recognize Israel as a sovereign state and lobbies against any normalization agreements made with Israel. Ballut showed up, as well, in many of the pictures and video from the wedding reception.
On Thursday, February 20, 2003, during early morning raids, Sami Amin al-Arian, Sameeh Hammoudeh, Hatem Naji Fariz, and Ghassan Zayed Ballut were arrested and charged, along with four others residing overseas, with “operating a racketeering enterprise… that engaged in a number of violent activities… conspiracy within the United States to kill and maim persons abroad, conspiracy to provide material support and resources to PIJ, conspiracy to violate emergency economic sanctions, engaging in various acts of interstate extortion, perjury, obstruction of justice and immigration fraud.”
The defendants had been involved in the establishment and preservation of a Tampa PIJ network that consisted of a think tank, the World & Studies Enterprise (WISE); a charity, the Islamic Concern Project (ICP) or Islamic Committee for Palestine; a mosque, the Islamic Community of Tampa (ICT) or Masjid Al-Qassam; and a children’s school, the Islamic Academy of Florida (IAF). While WISE and the ICP have since been closured, the mosque and the children’s school (which is adjacent to the mosque) are still in operation, the school now going by the name American Youth Academy (AYA).
According to the FBI, both Hatem Fariz and Ghassan Ballut were members of PIJ, though “Ballut was a member of the PIJ in a cell in Chicago, Illinois.” The indictment alleges that the two did “conspire… to commit offenses against the United States… by making and receiving contributions of funds, goods, and services to or for the benefit of the Palestinian Islamic Jihad.” The indictment also discusses a talk Fariz had with Ballut about a PIJ suicide bombing in northern Israel that took the lives of 17 innocents. Ballut described the attack as being “successful.” Fariz revoltingly laughed and made light of it.
Following the trial, Fariz was convicted of providing material support for PIJ and served out a 37-month prison sentence. After his release, he was hired as Masjid Al-Qassam’s Managing Director, a position that he continues to hold.
Unlike Fariz, Ballut was acquitted of his charges, but this by no means should make him appear unsympathetic to the goals of PIJ. Indeed, much of his life is devoted to the destruction of Israel, which he repeatedly refers to as the “Zionist enemy.” He promotes on social media a conspiracy theory claiming one can utilize the Quran to calculate Israel’s demise. In April 2018, he wrote, “A small missile on Israel will flip the equation and make the calculations come true… Death to the cowardly zionist entity.” In May 2020, he wrote, “The nation’s battle with this treacherous enemy continues no matter how long it takes… until the whole country is eliminated…”
Ballut has not only targeted Israel with his vitriol, but he has targeted Jews, themselves. In November 2018, he posted on Facebook an anti-Semitic graphic, titled “THE REAL JEWISH HOMELAND,” falsely declaring Jews are the product of a mass conversion to Judaism taking place in “Khazaria” and have zero connection to Israel. In February 2020, he offensively posted that the $50 billion promised in President Trump’s ‘Deal of the Century’ could instead be used “to repatriate the Israelis back to Europe.” He has also repeatedly quoted Hitler for the purpose of condemning those Palestinians who sell land to Jews, whom he considers “collaborators.”
Ballut has kept steadfast and loyal to his alleged PIJ roots. For the 33rd anniversary of the October 6, 1987 PIJ prisoner escape, which is said to be one of the catalysts for the First Palestinian Uprising (Intifada), Ballut referred to the escapees as “stars… of the First Intifada.” And aside from his reunions with Fariz, Ballut has made frequent posts on social media that include images and reports from his fellow Tampa PIJ “co-conspirators” Sami al-Arian and Mazen al-Najjar. Ballut has further posted several memorials for Tampa “co-conspirator” Sameeh Hammoudeh, who died of cancer in May 2019.
Moreover, Ballut has threatened the US, posting on Facebook, in January 2020, that, as a result of the US assassination of Iranian Quds Force Commander Qasem Soleimani, “America… will pay its price for a long time.”
It remains glaringly obvious that, when the US Justice Department charged immigrant Ghassan Ballut with having involvement in a terrorist organization, there was ample reason to do so. His participation in an affair, which also involves convicted PIJ member Hatem Fariz – even if it seems to be as innocuous as a wedding – should give US authorities cause for concern. His threats against America and his calls for US ally Israel’s destruction must, as well, be investigated. With his views and with the dangerous and sordid history of his terrorist colleague Fariz, neither should be allowed to continue living in the US with impunity.
Beila Rabinowitz, Director of Militant Islam Monitor, contributed to this report.
Brother of Texas Synagogue Terrorist Reveals Akram had a Criminal Record, Questions Why he was Given a Visa
The brother of Malik Faisal Akram, the UK citizen who was shot and killed after an 11-hour hostage standoff at a synagogue in Texas, has claimed that his brother had a previous criminal record.
Gulbar Akram, the brother of terrorist Malik Faisal Akram, who took four hostages at the Congregation Beth Israel synagogue in Colleyville, Texas on Saturday, has revealed that his brother had a criminal record in comments to UK media, raising questions about how he was allowed into the United States.
According to Inzamam Rashid, North of England correspondent or Sky News, Gulbar Akram said of his brother: “He’s known to police. Got a criminal record. How was he allowed to get a visa and acquire a gun?”
Malik Faisal Akram, formerly of the Blackburn area of Lancashire, is reported to have travelled to the U.S. around two weeks ago into New York’s JFK International Airport before travelling to Texas.
In a previous statement, Gulbar claimed that his brother suffered from “mental health issues.”
Akram was shot dead after an 11-hour standoff following the release of four hostages taken in the Texas synagogue. During the hostage situation, he was heard calling for the release of al Qaeda linked Aafia Siddiqui, a Pakistani national who was convicted of attempting to kill American military officers while being detained in Afghanistan.
The Greater Manchester Police announced on Sunday that the Counter Terror Policing division in North West England is currently assisting in the investigation being led by the US Authorities.
Late Sunday evening, the police force announced that they detained two teenagers in South Manchester in connection to the Texas synagogue attack. The two teens remain in custody, their identities have not been made public at the time of this reporting.
Responding to the attack, UK Foreign Secretary Liz Truss wrote: “My thoughts are with the Jewish community and all those affected by the appalling act in Texas. We condemn this act of terrorism and antisemitism.
“We stand with US in defending the rights and freedoms of our citizens against those who spread hate.”
Following the revealing of Malik Faisal Akram as the attacker, his once-local ‘Blackburn Muslim Community’ group page wrote on Facebook in a now-deleted post, according to local media: “Faisal Akram has sadly departed from this temporary world and returned to his Creator.”
“May the Almighty forgive all his sins and bless him with the highest ranks of Paradise. May Allah give strength and patience to his loved ones in dealing with their loss.”
Apologising for the post, the page followed up on Monday morning, writing: “We posted about the death of a local individual yesterday and utilised a standard template with generic wording that is used on all of our death announcements. After learning about the full circumstances surrounding his death, the post was removed.”
“We apologise for any upset or offence caused to those directly and indirectly affected by the incident especially the Jewish community in Texas. This was unintentional and our thoughts are with them all.”
The group went on to say that they “totally condemn any threats or attacks on innocent people” and that they stand in “solidarity with people of all faiths”.
“We have always promoted peace, love and harmony between people of all faiths and none.”
The Blackburn Muslim Community said that they will not be commenting further on the matter as they are currently in contact with relevant authorities in terms of an investigation into Akram.
The Muslim Council of Britain also condemned the attack on Monday morning, saying the actions were “completely unacceptable and we condemn the action in the strongest possible terms.”
“We understand that the perpetrator is reported to be of British origin and a Muslim. His actions fall way short of what is expected of a Muslim. His family and local community in Blackburn have also condemned the perpetrator’s action and are shocked and saddened to learn of this incident. We are in touch with our regional affiliate, the Lancashire Council of Mosques, and are ready to support them and local Muslim communities during this difficult time.”
The Secretary-General of the Muslim Council of Britain, Zara Mohammed added: “The act is all the more reprehensible since it was instigated at a place of worship where Jews were targeted. This was, quite simply, a hate crime and an act of antisemitism.
“We are thankful that the hostages are unharmed. Though some may seek to exploit such incidents for divisive ends, we must double our resolve to remain united against such hatred.”
FBI Claim Texas Hostage Situation ‘Not Specifically Targeting Jews’ Slammed as ‘Absurd’
The gunman who held worshipers hostage at Congregation Beth Israel in Colleyville, Texas, was “not specifically” targeting the Jewish community, the Special Agent in charge of FBI Dallas claimed shortly after the attack, prompting incredulity from critics in light of “Lady Al-Qaeda’s” vociferous antisemitic rhetoric.
“We do believe from our engagement with this subject that he was singularly focused on one issue, and it was not specifically related to the Jewish community,” Special Agent Matthew Desarno said of the now-deceased suspect.
“But we are continuing to work to find [the] motive,” he added.
FBI: “We do believe from our engagement with this subject that he was singularly focused on one issue & it was not specifically related to the Jewish community.” Guy took a synagogue hostage on Sabbath to free the nearby notoriously anti-Semitic terrorist.pic.twitter.com/NCXqBxWyhn
— Jerry Dunleavy (@JerryDunleavy) January 16, 2022
The suspect, since identified as UK citizen Malik Faisal Akram (pictured, top), was heard at the synagogue on Facebook live demanding the release of Aafia Siddiqui, a Pakistani national who is serving an 86-year sentence for the attempted killing of U.S. military personnel. Siddiqui is a raving antisemite, according to the Jerusalem Post, and she blamed the Jews for 9/11.
As per the Post:
Siddiqui dismissed her legal defense team because she said the lawyers were Jewish, and she demanded that jurors in the trial take DNA tests to make sure they were not Israeli or Zionists, in order “to be fair.”
She also wrote a letter to then-president Barack Obama telling him that Jews “have always back-stabbed everyone who has taken pity on them and made the ‘fatal’ error of giving them shelter.”
“It is this cruel, ungrateful back-stabbing of the Jews that has caused them to be mercilessly expelled from wherever they gain strength. This is why ‘holocausts’ keep happening to them repeatedly! If they would only learn to be grateful and change their behavior!!” Siddiqui wrote.
After her conviction, Siddiqui said: “This is a verdict coming from Israel and not from America. That’s where the anger belongs.”
The report went onto say that the likelihood of Akram demanding Siddiqui’s release while being unaware of her anti-Jewish views is slim.
The report also noted the unlikely scenario in which a would-be attacker would “randomly” pick a synagogue to pull of a hostage situation and without knowing that Saturday morning would be when Jewish worshipers gathered there to pray.
According to the Jerusalem Post, one of the organizations that has been calling for Siddiqui’s release in recent weeks is the Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR).
Seriously @guardian? Why the f*ck is hostage in quotations? #Colleyville pic.twitter.com/lRhCecu2b9
— Arsen Ostrovsky (@Ostrov_A) January 15, 2022
In November, CAIR San Francisco executive director Zahra Billoo warned Muslims to “know your enemies” and to be aware of the “polite Zionists” hiding among Americans.
“When we talk about Islamophobia, we often think of the vehement fascists… but I also want us to pay attention to the polite Zionists, the ones that say, ‘Let’s just break bread together’… We need to pay attention to the Anti-Defamation League, we need to pay attention to the Jewish Federation, we need to pay attention to the Zionist synagogues, we need to pay attention to the Hillel chapters on our campuses,” Billoo said.
The head of the movement for Reform Judaism, Rabbi Rick Jacobs, also slammed the FBI’s characterization of the event as random, saying that Desarno’s comments “conveys a completely wrong sense of what yesterday was all about.”
“There’s no doubt that the underlying whole premise of yesterday was antisemitism,” Jacobs told MSNBC.
“The hostage-taker didn’t go to McDonald’s, didn’t go to some random place, and that is part of the story of antisemitism, to single Jews out.”
“I don’t know one Jewish person who’s in the dark about [the] antisemitic attack,” Jacobs continued.
“Obviously it’s important to know what we’re discovering about the hostage-taker, but the truth is, on a Sabbath morning, a community gathered in prayer… somebody come in bent on harm. That is hardly something we would call just an incidental detail. That is a focal point.”
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