An Islamic Duty

"I do not ask the court to give me mercy, for Allah is the one that gives me mercy."  Naser Jason Abdo

Army Pfc. Naser Abdo was sentenced to two life terms plus additional time.  He was convicted of having in his possession bombmaking materials for a planned "massive attack" on a Texas restaurant filled with troops.  He planned to carry out that attack in revenge for what he believed was American attacks on Muslims: "because I don't appreciate what my unit did in Afghanistan".

There's another one put away where he can no longer do harm to others.  How many more will there be?  Other home-grown jihadis are awaiting trial and due justice will be dispensed.  Not so for the American servicemen killed in Afghanistan by an Afghan police officer whom they obviously trusted.  He was, after all, a member of the National Police, busy helping the Marines train the Afghan Local Police.

They had shared a meal.  If any traditions assure that one is safe and in good company it is when you share a meal together, in Islamic tradition.  Which didn't stop Asadullah, the National Police assassin from turning his weapon on three U.S. Marines.  Marking the 31st coalition service member to now have died this year at the hands of Afghan forces or insurgents purporting to be force members.

In this instance, it was an American soldier, Naser Jason Abdo, 21 years of age, who was arrested with bomb-making materials which he had amassed.  His presence in court was not dignified.  He had previously spat what he felt to be HIV-infected blood on the agents who were escorting him into court.  On this occasion he appeared in court with a white cloth bound over his mouth.

He was found at a motel close to Fort Hood with bomb-making materials.  Absent without leave from Fort Campbell, Kentucky.  Found guilty of attempted murder of U.S. officers or employees and four counts of possessing a weapon in furtherance of a federal crime of violence.

This was one event of many where jihadist plans of home-grown radicalized Muslims were apprehended before a massacre took place.  In contrast to the sensational attack on Fort Hood by U.S. Army Major, psychiatrist Nidal Malik Hasan, in which 13 people were massacred and 29 others wounded.  Former Major Hasan was himself shot and paralyzed.


In his case, there was ample evidence to indicate that something was not quite right; his behaviour beforehand was obviously and clearly disturbed, yet it appears that no one took it seriously, fearful of being labelled Islamophobic.  That delicacy of feeling ensured that he felt assured of not being held in suspicion before carrying out his mission.


One which he doubtless discussed at length with a mentor, another American of Middle Eastern descent, the cleric Anwar al-Awlaki - who turned against the United States and based himself in Yemen - with whom he was in contact, and who later characterized Major Hasan as a hero, because: "fighting against the U.S. army is an Islamic Duty."