The United States is facing a grave and growing threat—one that is festering right under our noses. The recent incident involving Imam Abdullah Alhajj, who delivered a sermon in Highland, Indiana, a suburb of Chicago, praising the Hamas leader Ismail Haniyeh as a “martyred mujahid,” should send shockwaves across the nation. On August 9, 2024, Alhajj openly lauded Haniyeh’s assassination by the “enemies of Islam” as a devastating loss felt by the entire world, yet a loss that would be replaced by more martyrs fighting “for the sake of Allah against the Zionists.” This sermon was not delivered in some distant war-torn land; it was preached here in America and streamed live on the Illiana Islamic Association (IIA) YouTube channel.
Radicalization in American Mosques
Alhajj’s words are another reminder that the Islamic ideology of jihad and the glorification of Islamic terrorism are not confined to the Middle East—they are being propagated in American mosques. His declaration that “Palestine will continue to produce martyrs” and his celebration of Haniyeh, who has long been associated with the violent tactics of Hamas, should alarm every American concerned about national security.
But this is not just about one man or one sermon. The president of this controversial mosque, Muhammad Mazen Kudaimi, is the board chair of the Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR) Chicago, a radical Islamic organization with a documented history of ties to Hamas.
The Influence of Muhammad Mazen Kudaimi
Kudaimi, a Syrian-born physician, has established himself as a prominent figure in the community, wielding significant influence in his mosque and the broader medical community of Northwest Indiana. Kudaimi’s background is notable—he was born and raised in Syria, graduated from Damascus University Medical School in 1979, and moved to Chicago in 1980 to complete his training at Cook County Hospital. He is board-certified in Internal Medicine and Gastroenterology, making his ties to a radical organization all the more concerning.
Given his position of influence, serious questions arise about the kind of care Jewish, Israeli, or pro-Israel patients might receive under his watch. Can a doctor who is part of an organization with documented connections to Hamas be trusted to provide unbiased medical care? How can a medical professional whose mosque’s leadership openly praises a Hamas leader as a martyr ensure that he will treat all patients equally, especially those who may be seen as ideological adversaries? Kudaimi’s professional role as a healer is fundamentally at odds with the violent ideology espoused by the leadership of his mosque.
The Controversial History of CAIR
The connection between CAIR and Hamas is not speculative; it is well-documented and deeply troubling. The 2007 trial of the Holy Land Foundation for Relief and Development exposed CAIR’s links to Hamas, leading to CAIR being named an unindicted co-conspirator. The evidence revealed that the Holy Land Foundation was a front for the Palestine Committee, a covert organization within the U.S. branch of the Muslim Brotherhood, established to funnel funds to Hamas, a designated terrorist organization. Despite this damning evidence, CAIR continues to operate openly in the United States, often positioning itself as a civil rights organization while refusing to condemn Hamas.
Adding to this disturbing legacy, Nihad Awad, CAIR’s executive director and co-founder, recently made shocking statements at the 16th Annual Convention for Palestine in the U.S., held outside Chicago on November 24, 2024. Under the leadership of Muhammad Mazen Kudaimi, who serves as CAIR Chicago’s president, Awad declared that he was “happy” to witness the October 7 terrorist attack on Israel, where innocent Israelis and Jews were slaughtered, tortured, raped, and kidnapped. He described the attack as an act of breaking the “siege” of Gaza and asserted that “Israel as an occupying power does not have that right to self-defense.” Awad’s statements are a chilling reminder of CAIR’s deep-seated connections to Hamas and its unwavering support for terrorist activities, directly implicating the Chicago chapter led by Kudaimi in promoting such extreme views.
Awad’s history of supporting Hamas is not new. In a 1994 speech at Barry University, he openly stated, “I am in support of the Hamas movement more than the PLO.” This aligns with CAIR’s founding members, many of whom had direct ties to the Islamic Association of Palestine (IAP). This organization was found liable for providing material support to Hamas.
The 2008 trial of the Holy Land Foundation further implicated CAIR, revealing documents that listed CAIR as part of the Muslim Brotherhood’s Palestine Committee, tasked with raising funds to support Hamas. Despite these revelations, CAIR leaders have continued to evade accountability, with the FBI significantly restricting its interactions with CAIR following the trial.
Dr. Randa Loutfi and the Syrian American Medical Society
Kudaimi’s wife, Dr. Randa Loutfi, is also a medical professional, adding another layer of concern regarding the influence of individuals with radical connections in critical positions of trust. She graduated from Damascus University Faculty of Medicine, did her pediatric training, and served as a chief resident at Rush Presbyterian St. Luke’s Medical Center in Chicago. She worked as a pediatric hospitalist in Illinois and a consultant in northwest Indiana.
Currently, she serves as the Director of Programs at the Syrian American Medical Society (SAMS), a highly controversial NGO accused of collaborating with extremists. Allegedly, SAMS has provided aid disproportionately to rebel-held areas and operated close to groups linked to Islamic terror factions. These accusations raise serious questions about the organization’s impartiality and the broader implications of having individuals with such associations in positions of power and influence.
The Broader Implications and Media Silence
CAIR, the largest Muslim advocacy group in the U.S., has faced multiple controversies, with former employees convicted on terrorism-related charges and its leaders repeatedly refusing to denounce Hamas or the Muslim Brotherhood. In addition to Nihad Awad’s recent statements, CAIR has a long history of defending individuals and organizations connected to terrorism, raising profound concerns about its true agenda.
Why is an organization with a documented history of ties to terrorism allowed to operate freely in the United States? The implications are profound. A mosque led by individuals with ties to such an organization is not just a place of worship; it is a breeding ground for radicalism, where the seeds of jihad are sown in the hearts of the next generation.
Why is this mosque, led by a president with ties to one of the most controversial Hamas-linked organizations in America, not under greater scrutiny? Based on their Imam, who openly supports a Hamas leader responsible for the deadly October 7 attacks in Israel, this mosque poses a clear and present danger. Despite the severity of the Imam’s statements, there has been a disturbing lack of media coverage and political response.
While federal law enforcement agencies focus on targeting Trump supporters, the threat posed by Islamic figures like Sheikh Abdullah Alhajj continues to be overlooked. This raises serious questions about the priorities of the media, political leaders, and law enforcement in addressing the threat Islam poses in the West. Could it be that investigating Alhajj’s remarks would reveal that he is, in fact, adhering to Islamic orthodoxy? Is the failure to investigate due to a fear of contradicting leftist narratives on Islam?
Conclusion: A Call to Action
It is time for Americans to wake up to the reality of the threat we face. The ideology of jihad, the glorification of martyrdom, and the support for terrorist organizations like Hamas are not compatible with the values of a free and democratic society. We must demand that our leaders, our law enforcement agencies, and our media hold those who promote these dangerous ideologies accountable. The safety and security of our nation depend on it.
This is not just about one mosque, sermon, or individual; it is about the future of our nation. Will we allow the seeds of terror to be sown in our communities, or will we take a stand to protect our country from those who wish to see it fall? The choice is ours, and the time to act is now.
