As Twitchy reported Tuesday night, a strange narrative began to brew soon after it was revealed that a truck plowing into a bike lane was a terrorist act, and witnesses had reported the suspect yelling, “Allahu Akbar.” Muslims like Linda Sarsour reminded the general public that “Allahu Akbar” is a common phrase, and saying it can’t be considered a criminal act.
Every believing Muslim says Allahu Akbar every day during prayers. We cannot criminalize "God is great." Prosecute the criminal not a faith.
— Linda Sarsour (@lsarsour) October 31, 2017
Also weighing in was attorney and author Rabia Chaudry.
For the record, "Allahu Akbar" has no inherent political/violent connotation meriting instant terror diagnosis.I say it like 20 times a day.
— rabia O'chaudry (@rabiasquared) October 31, 2017
But yelling it after killing eight innocent people with a truck is a little different, no?
He could be mentally ill. Disgruntled recently fired employee. High on drugs. That saying is so common he could have yelled it randomly.
— rabia O'chaudry (@rabiasquared) October 31, 2017
Suspect Sayfullo Saipov could be mentally ill, but what are the chances he just shouted “Allahu Akbar” randomly after running down those cyclists?
https://twitter.com/davidlaing93/status/925488397011030016
If you understand how it is used in common parlance amongst muslims for nearly every single situation maybe it would make sense
— rabia O'chaudry (@rabiasquared) October 31, 2017
Favorite team wins? You say it. Fav team loses? You say it. Something wonderful happens? You say it. Something terrible happens? You say it
— rabia O'chaudry (@rabiasquared) October 31, 2017
We certainly don’t doubt Chaudry’s an attorney, that’s for sure.
https://twitter.com/Warden_AoS/status/925538140101672960
https://twitter.com/RaheemKassam/status/925739684545867776
He could have Tourette's! https://t.co/szw37zUpLW
— Dennis Dale (@eladsinned) October 31, 2017
He yelled it randomly while driving over people on a bicycle path? https://t.co/7xzHgHFqAA
— Stephen Gunter (@stephengunter) October 31, 2017
Odd how these words always seem to come out during a terrorist attack. What a random and remarkable fucking coincidence. https://t.co/g32YKybLwf
— TomJefferson30 (@TomJefferson30) October 31, 2017
https://twitter.com/samizdatpoaster/status/925493033386340352
https://twitter.com/badhair/status/925493234591260672
https://twitter.com/DQtheBuzzed/status/925840229990387712
https://twitter.com/stevenmarthur/status/925494847326130176
Or he could just be an Islamic terrorist. https://t.co/mmTnMGZNAh
— Trippy Pip (@TrippyPip) November 1, 2017
He could also be Buddy The Elf, looking for Santa https://t.co/VkMkKI3Lvy
— Just A Russian Hack (@Anewhomestar) November 1, 2017
The ISIS propaganda on his computer & notes pledging to the terrorist group would beg to differ. He was radicalized. This isn't hard. https://t.co/QAaODqw5Xs
— Ben Howe (@BenHowe) November 1, 2017
https://twitter.com/EternalYachtsmn/status/925824411176972290
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Related:
Hot take from Linda Sarsour and others: We cannot criminalize 'Allahu Akbar' https://t.co/L5btykVHzu
— Twitchy Team (@TwitchyTeam) October 31, 2017
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