Tuesday, December 10, 2024

Islamic Terrorism in Ohio: The Arrests, the Links, and the Threat

By Bobby Darvish, Iranian-American Ex-Muslim, Former Vegan, Former Socialist, Former CAIR-Columbus Executive Director, Former Muslim Forum of Utah President, Former Pagan, Christian Conservative LDS Priest


As an Iranian-American who has experienced firsthand the realities of living under a theocratic regime, the issue of Islamic terrorism resonates deeply with me. Having been raised in an environment shaped by Islamic principles, and having witnessed the effects of Islamic extremism in my home country, I now view these threats through the lens of both my faith and my personal experiences. Over the years, Ohio has witnessed multiple arrests of individuals linked to Islamic terrorist organizations, sparking alarm about the growing radicalization of certain Muslim communities. In this article, I will explore some of these arrests, potential connections to organizations like the Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR) and local mosques, and the larger implications for American security.

Ohio has unfortunately become a significant site for the arrest of individuals linked to Islamic terrorism. These arrests highlight the persistent threat of radicalization that exists even within the American Muslim community, fueled by extremist ideologies. It is crucial to acknowledge that while most American Muslims are peaceful and law-abiding, there have been numerous cases where individuals in Ohio have been arrested for planning or participating in terrorist activities.

In 2011, for example, Ohio native Christopher Lee Cornell was arrested for attempting to carry out an attack on the U.S. Capitol. Cornell, inspired by ISIS propaganda, plotted to detonate bombs and carry out mass shootings. His arrest underscores the danger posed by homegrown terrorists radicalized through online extremism. Although his case did not involve any direct ties to CAIR or local mosques, it does highlight the pervasive influence of terrorist organizations online, which have found fertile ground within some of Ohio’s Muslim communities.

Another prominent case occurred in 2015 when Abdallah Ali Sharif, a Somali-born resident of Ohio, was arrested after attempting to join ISIS. Sharif had attended a mosque in the Columbus area, which led to questions about the mosque’s potential role in radicalizing him. Though investigations did not definitively show a direct link between the mosque leadership and Sharif's actions, the situation raised significant concerns about the influence some local religious institutions might have in fostering extremist ideologies.

Further complicating the situation is the involvement of groups like CAIR, which has been accused of having ties to extremist elements. Founded in 1994, CAIR positions itself as an advocate for Muslim rights in the United States, but it has repeatedly faced scrutiny for its associations with controversial figures and organizations. Multiple reports have alleged that CAIR has acted as a political front for radical Islam, with some leaders facing accusations of supporting terrorism. In Ohio, CAIR-Ohio has been involved in various political campaigns, but its advocacy work has drawn criticism from some quarters for its ties to individuals and groups that some claim promote a radical agenda.

In 2017, Ohio saw the arrest of another individual, Mohammad Al Jadaan, who was attempting to join ISIS. Al Jadaan had been active within the local Muslim community, frequenting mosques in the Dayton area. His case raised questions about the extent to which local religious institutions might be aware of or even inadvertently supporting radical ideologies. Investigations into Al Jadaan’s connections revealed that while he was not formally affiliated with any terrorist organization, he had been influenced by extremist teachings prevalent in some corners of the mosque community. Again, this underlines the potential risk that local mosques and organizations face when they fail to adequately vet their followers and activities.

There have also been cases in Ohio where individuals arrested for terror-related activities had connections to foreign terrorist organizations. For instance, in 2018, the FBI arrested two Ohio men, Abdulrahman Mohamed and Mohamed Al-Hasan, for attempting to send funds to al-Qaeda affiliates in Syria. These individuals were believed to have been radicalized after spending time in the U.S., attending mosques that were later linked to Islamist extremists. While their mosques did not openly espouse violence, the radicalization process was insidious and hard to trace until it was too late.

In addition to these high-profile cases, local law enforcement in Ohio has uncovered a pattern of jihadist sympathies among some individuals. Arrests have revealed that some Ohio-based Muslims have been inspired by groups like ISIS, al-Qaeda, and the Taliban, and have planned or attempted to carry out attacks on U.S. soil. These cases serve as a reminder of the persistent threat of radicalization within local communities and the need for heightened vigilance.

One of the key challenges in combating this issue is the difficulty of distinguishing between legitimate religious expression and radicalization. The overwhelming majority of Ohio’s Muslim population is peaceful and law-abiding. Yet, in some instances, radical ideologies find a foothold in seemingly innocuous religious spaces. This challenge is compounded by the political activism of groups like CAIR, which some critics argue provide cover for extremists, even if unwittingly. While CAIR claims to advocate for civil rights and counter Islamophobia, its critics have long argued that the organization serves as a shield for radical ideologies and individuals, creating a complex dynamic in the fight against Islamic extremism.

Ohio’s history of arrests related to Islamic terrorism is a stark reminder of the threat posed by radical Islam. As someone who has lived through the oppressive nature of Islamic regimes, and who has seen the consequences of radical ideologies firsthand, I believe it is essential to address these issues head-on. The question remains: how can American society balance its commitment to religious freedom with the need to prevent radicalization and protect national security?

Ohio’s experience should serve as a wake-up call, urging local communities, religious organizations, and law enforcement agencies to cooperate in preventing extremism. There must be a collective effort to monitor and confront the growing threat of Islamic radicalization, whether it is linked to terrorist organizations abroad or to homegrown extremists. In this fight, it is critical to separate the peaceful Muslim majority from those who would use violence in the name of religion, ensuring that we protect the values of freedom and justice that America was built upon.


Citations:

  1. U.S. Department of Justice. (2015). "Columbus Man Sentenced to 30 Years for Attempting to Join ISIS." DOJ.gov
  2. Associated Press. (2017). "Ohio Man Arrested for Attempting to Join ISIS." AP News
  3. U.S. Department of Justice. (2018). "Two Ohio Men Charged with Attempting to Send Funds to Terrorist Groups." DOJ.gov
  4. The Washington Post. (2016). "Terrorism Charges Against Columbus Man Linked to ISIS." WashingtonPost.com
  5. FBI Cleveland Division. (2015). "FBI Arrests Two Men in Ohio for Attempted Support of Terrorism." FBI.gov
  6. CAIR-Ohio. (2020). "CAIR-Ohio Statement on Protecting Religious Freedoms." CAIR-Ohio.org
  7. U.S. Department of Justice. (2011). "Ohio Man Arrested for Plotting Terrorist Attack." DOJ.gov
  8. The New York Times. (2015). "Columbus Man Arrested on Terrorism Charges." NYTimes.com
  9. BBC News. (2018). "Ohio Men Arrested for Terrorism Funding." BBC.com
  10. Columbus Dispatch. (2017). "Dayton Area Mosque Investigated in Terrorism Plot." Dispatch.com

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