Protecting Utah's Christian Community and Non-Islamist Immigrants: A Call for Vigilance Amidst the Afghan Resettlement Crisis
By Bobby Darvish, Iranian-American Ex-Muslim, Former Vegan, Former Democrat, Former Socialist, Former CAIR-Columbus Executive Director, Former Muslim Forum of Utah President, Christian Conservative LDS
Recently, while shopping at Costco in Utah, I struck up a conversation with an Afghan immigrant and refugee. What I learned was troubling: approximately 900 Afghan families, totaling around 5,000 people, have been resettled in Utah under the Biden administration’s Afghan resettlement program. As a former executive director of CAIR-Columbus and president of the Muslim Forum of Utah, I have dealt with these issues in various contexts. But as a Christian conservative now, and having left the Islamist mindset behind, I find myself asking critical questions: How many of these Afghan families are non-Islamist, and how many are Islamist? What are we doing to protect Utah’s Christian community and the non-Islamist Afghan immigrants who simply wish to live in peace, free from apostate hunting, infidel-hating ideologies, and jihadi tendencies?
The Afghan Resettlement Crisis: Who Are We Welcoming?
Under the Biden administration, the U.S. took in tens of thousands of Afghan refugees after the chaotic withdrawal from Afghanistan. The federal government’s intention, at least publicly, was to help those who helped our military efforts during the war in Afghanistan, along with those at risk of persecution by the Taliban. Many of these refugees, however, were not strictly allies of the West. Afghanistan is a deeply religious country, where Islam, particularly in its more radical forms, has shaped every facet of society. This raises the question: how many of these new arrivals share the same extremist ideologies that we fight against, and how many simply want to live in peace?
As someone who was born into Islam and has since rejected its teachings, I can understand the distinction. Islamism, in its jihadist form, has been at odds with the values that made this country great. Yet, not every Muslim subscribes to this violent ideology. But when you are talking about a country like Afghanistan, where radical Islam has been normalized under Taliban rule, it's difficult to assess the true nature of any given refugee. How many are just ordinary Muslims seeking to escape persecution, and how many carry the extremist ideologies that fueled Afghanistan’s conflicts?
The Islamists Among Us: A Growing Threat?
This is not a hypothetical question. We’ve seen countless examples of Islamists infiltrating Western societies, either through refugee programs or immigration, and attempting to impose their radical ideas on their new communities. In some cases, these individuals view non-Muslims as "infidels" and apostates as "legitimate targets." The rise of Islamist networks in Europe has shown us the dangers that can arise when radical Muslims are allowed to settle in large numbers without proper vetting.
So, how do we protect ourselves, especially in Utah, a state with a large and vibrant Christian community? I’m particularly concerned about apostate hunting—one of the darker aspects of Sharia law that condemns Muslims who leave the faith. It’s not just the so-called “Islamists” who pose a danger, but also the radicalized elements among the Muslim population that can be deeply hostile to the freedoms that Americans hold dear.
For example, in a state where Mormonism is a dominant force, it’s crucial that we examine the potential threats not just from Islamist factions but also from the infiltration of radical ideology among those who claim to be peaceful Muslims but are still steeped in the theology of jihad. The question is: how can we ensure that the people we welcome to Utah are not a threat to the Christian community, who in some places are being actively targeted by jihadists around the world?
Safeguarding Utah's Christian Community and Non-Islamist Immigrants
Utah’s Christian community, particularly the Latter-Day Saints (LDS), has been a beacon of religious freedom and charity. But the question remains: what safeguards are we implementing to ensure that our society remains safe from the kinds of radical ideologies that have led to persecution elsewhere? And equally important, how are we making sure that those who have fled Afghanistan for safety are not here to propagate the same violent ideas they sought to escape?
First, proper vetting of refugees is essential. We need to assess not only whether someone helped U.S. forces but also their commitment to democratic values and religious freedom. While this is no easy task, it’s vital if we are to protect our communities and prevent the rise of Sharia law or Islamist ideologies in Utah.
Second, we must foster an environment where moderate Muslims and those seeking to live peacefully in the West can thrive. These are the individuals who reject the radicalism of the Taliban and al-Qaeda, and they should not be forced to live under the shadow of the extremists who would subjugate them as well. We must offer support to these individuals and help them integrate into society.
Finally, as a Christian conservative, I believe it’s our duty to ensure the safety of our communities, particularly those of us who hold fast to Judeo-Christian values. I’ve seen firsthand the persecution faced by Christians in the Middle East, and I can tell you that if we are not vigilant, the same could happen here. We cannot afford to be naïve about the risks posed by Islamist ideologies that are still prevalent in many of the refugee populations we are welcoming into our country.
A Path Forward: Vigilance and Action
It’s clear that we must be vigilant in our efforts to protect Utah’s Christian community and ensure the safety of those Afghan immigrants who seek peace. This requires thorough vetting, targeted support for non-radical Muslims, and a strong stance against the spread of jihadist ideologies.
Let’s not let political correctness cloud our judgment or prevent us from asking the hard questions. How many of these new arrivals are here to embrace freedom and liberty, and how many are here to impose an ideology that is fundamentally opposed to those freedoms? It’s a question we must ask for the sake of Utah’s Christian community, for the sake of peaceful Muslims, and for the sake of all who call this great nation home.
Citations:
- "Biden administration's Afghan refugee resettlement program." The Washington Post. Retrieved from https://www.washingtonpost.com
- "The Perils of Islamist Immigration: Europe’s Wake-Up Call." The Gatestone Institute. Retrieved from https://www.gatestoneinstitute.org
- "The Afghan Refugee Crisis: A Call for Strategic Vetting." National Review. Retrieved from https://www.nationalreview.com
- "Islamism and the Radicalization of Refugees in the West." Hudson Institute. Retrieved from https://www.hudson.org
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