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 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 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?
If that’s true, why would he think god was great?
— david laing (@davidlaing93) October 31, 2017
If you understand how it is used in common parlance amongst muslims for nearly every single situation maybe it would make sense
— rabia 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 chaudry (@rabiasquared) October 31, 2017
We certainly don’t doubt Chaudry’s an attorney, that’s for sure.
Yes, randomly.
He yelled it randomly. https://t.co/TZfBvF3O8t
— I 69 Science (@Warden_AoS) November 1, 2017
This aged badly. https://t.co/Exy0rQBIYs
— Raheem ???? (@RaheemKassam) November 1, 2017
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
— TomJefferson (@TomJefferson30) October 31, 2017
A perfect 10.0 for this set of mental gymnastics https://t.co/Fr2wZpdbQ3
— samizdatpoaster?? (@samizdatpoaster) October 31, 2017
as apologia go, this takes the cake https://t.co/9UudTLDLhY
— george? (@badhair) October 31, 2017
Lol this is an amazing mental pretzel https://t.co/2aVfTgVfzh
— Marshal Rokossovsky (@DQtheBuzzed) November 1, 2017
no, officer, I just yelled it to be quirky and random! xD https://t.co/AF9CcVSJqu
— Steven Arthur (@stevenmarthur) October 31, 2017
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 (@BenHowe) November 1, 2017
2 parts smug
3 parts disengenuous
1 tbsp hate for infidels
Pour over rocks glass
Garnish with figTaqiyaa Sunrise https://t.co/UKrfx0FIle
— The Yachtsman (@EternalYachtsmn) November 1, 2017
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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