As scary as it sounds, a real terrorist threat came to our peaceful city of Portland Friday evening. The FBI and Portland Police Bureau arrested Mohamed Osman Mohamud, a 19-year-old Somali-born American citzen, on charges of attempting to use a weapon of mass destruction to blow-up a van during the Christmas tree lighting ceremony in Pioneer Courthouse Square. The FBI had been following Mohamud since earlier this summer and unfolded a brilliant undercover plan to not only investigate Mohamud's intentions but to also stop him from successfully implementing this horrific plan.
According to an affidavit in support of a criminal complaint signed Friday night by U.S. Magistrate Judge John V. Acosta, Mohamud was led on to believe that he was working with another terrorist but was really in correspondance with an undercover FBI operative. Mohamud was set to carry-out his plans tonight by detonating a van full of explosives at Pioneer Courthouse square, where an enormous crowd had gathered to watch the Christmas tree lighting. What he did not know was that the bomb was actually a dummy planted by the FBI so that nobody was ever in real danger of an explosion.
As a local Muslim, I commend the FBI and Portland Police for such an excellently executed plan that ensured the safety of Portlanders while bringing a savage animal to justice. Mohamed Osman Mohamud is not only an enemy of society but a complete disgrace to all Muslims worldwide. This is a reminder to the rest of us that our faith is still being hijacked by lunatics who claim to represent Islam. At one point, Mohamud said to the operative that the type of crowd he wanted to target is a "huge mass that will ... be attacked in their own element with their families celebrating the holidays."
I, along with 9 other Muslims, were out that same morning during the Macy's Holiday Parade speaking with local Portlanders and handing out our fliers that presented our message of "Muslims for Peace." It is ironic that a day that would begin with 10 Muslims actively standing up for peace would then end with a so-called "Muslim" attempting to cause wide-spread death and harm in the same city. It just tells me that we Muslims For Peace still have much work ahead of us and need to continue our struggle to spread Islam's true message of peace...to Muslims and non-Muslims alike.
For more information on this breaking story, please read about this story on Oregonlive.com.
Comments
That's horrible. So glad no one was hurt.
I, as a Muslim, know that random violence and targeting civilians is completely outside of the fold of Islam.
Thanks Br. Harris for spreading the message.
The problem I see is, yes you are one of the few standing up and condemming this action but where are national leaders speaking up. As far as I am concerned until I see that take place, I am very leary of Muslims. I do not see it as a peaceful religion.
@Cary - There are national leaders speaking out against this. As a member of the National Executive Board of the Ahmadiyya Muslim Youth Association - the leading Muslim Youth organization in America - I am not the only one speaking out. Our former National President has been on national television condemning such acts in the past, and the Vice President of the Ahmadiyya Muslim Community (which is the first and oldest Muslim organization in America) has appeared multiple times on national television speaking out against violence of all forms and calling on Muslims to be loyal to the country in which they reside because it is a part of their faith to do so.
Harris Zafar
National Muslim Examiner
Thank you Sakina. It's unbelievable that this would happen in my hometown of Portland. This tells me that our work is far from over. We need to keep spreading the message of peace, not just to non-Muslims but also to Muslims so that we can eradicate this mindset. There are far too many Muslims who need to be educated about their own faith.
Read more at www.MuslimsForPeace.org
Harris Zafar
National Muslim Examiner
Mr. Harris,
I'm not sure which is scarier, the FBI actually 'thwarted' a 19 YEAR OLD's TERRORIST PLANS or the fact there are people actually publicizing 'things' like this.
Really? I mean... REALLY?
Although I will consent to the 'possibility' this 19yr old kid had an 'idea', one must also consider the reality of the FBI leading a kid to believe 'his idea was possible'... as indicated in the story...
"The FBI had been following Mohamud since earlier this summer and unfolded a brilliant undercover plan to not only investigate Mohamud's intentions but to also stop him from successfully implementing this horrific plan."
"..Mohamud was led on to believe that he was working with another terrorist but was really in correspondance with an undercover FBI operative."
(He who is prudent and lies in wait for an enemy who is not, will be victorious. -Sun Tzu)
Let's start "THINKING".
We are a 'product' of other peoples 'thinking' for we knew nothing when we came into this world and have become 'what' those around us have led us to believe we could become.
As a United States Marine (retired) I ask "WTF?" (Where't The Fauxkis?) 'waiting for an enemy who is not' or creating the World We Want?
-F4T
Kevin,
Do you not realize that the TERRORIST (not innocent kid) could have worked with another source (not the FBI) to potentially achieve his goal. A real bomb going off in a mass of innocent people with their families and loved ones. Be glad this guy was caught the way he was. He wouldn't be trying to do that for shits and giggles either, that was HIS GOAL. So regarless of the FBI catching him the way they did is irrelevant. He still would've tried to make this happen. He attempted a mass murder.
Retired Marine or not, you are a F u c k ing idiot for not realizing that this wasn't Mohamed's 'idea' it was his PLAN.
I agree with Cary. I to are leary of muslims.The leaders of middle eastern countrys should be more involved in paece rather than pussy footing around with muslims who evedently do not understand there religon.I think maybe the muslims for peace should work with the US government and go undercover to some of these terrorist countries rather than passing out fliers explaning there religon.
Mr. harris,
Dosent Ismal tell you to fight the unbelievers and even muhammad said
"[5.51] O you who believe! do not take the Jews and the Christians for friends; they are friends of each other; and whoever amongst you takes them for a friend, then surely he is one of them; surely Allah does not guide the unjust people."
At-Tawba 29
YUSUFALI: Fight those who believe not in Allah nor the Last Day, nor hold that forbidden which hath been forbidden by Allah and His Messenger, nor acknowledge the religion of Truth, (even if they are) of the People of the Book, until they pay the Jizya with willing submission, and feel themselves subdued.
so how can you say that they are distorting islam ?
Sadly, I think the argument that this or that terrorist isn't a true Muslim doesn't help the problem. In fact there are millions of Muslims who think like the attempted NYC Times Square terrorist and the attempted Portland Pioneer Courthouse Square terrorist, etc etc. Who really has the authority to speak for Islam? I am convinced that many of these attempted murderers sincerely believe they are following the will of Allah and many Islamic leaders agree with them. I am glad there is an organization of "Muslims for Peace," but to be honest, I notice that it is associated with the Ahmadiyya Islamic movement founded by Mirza Ghulam Ahmad in the 19th century. The majority of Muslims have condemned this movement as heretical and not Islamic since the founder called himself a prophet and everyone know that Mohammed was the last and final prophet. So here you call this young man not a Muslim while most would say you are not a true Muslim. We need to come up with a better paradigm to understand why so many think Allah/God is telling them to kill innocent people. Of course, with a certain "understanding, " the folks at the Tree Lighting were not innocent, but infidels worthy of death.
Great Job Brother Harris on spreading the true message of Islam, which is peace, harmony, equality, and brotherhood. Islam itself means peace, and any other so called 'Muslim' who says that Islam preaches killing is wrong because in the Quran itself says, 'whosoever killed one person...it is as if he has killed mankind'. No religion promotes killing.
For more information, please visit muslimsforpeace.org
I don't believe this stuff for a minute. I think the FBI is setting this ALL up so the American public can say 'hey look, the FBI's doing its job.' Seriously, I don't buy this crap about Muslim terror one bit.
Ahmadiyya Muslim Community, founded by mirza ghulam Ahmed, rejects and condemns every form of terrorism. It does not provide any cover or justification for any act of violence, be it committed by an individual or a group.I most strongly condemn all acts and forms of terrorism because it is my deeply rooted belief that not only Islam but also no true religion, whatever its name, can sanction violence and bloodshed of innocent men, women and children in the name of God." It is unfortunate that Islam, the religion of peace, hope, harmony, goodwill and brotherhood had been badly tarnished by the perpetrators of various terrorists acts and barbarism. In Quran Allah says,'in chapter 2 verse 257 "There should be no compulsion in religion". As muslim we should respect all prophets and their teachings. We believe in Love and peace. Our Motto is “Love for All Hatred for None. To get true picture of islam Please visit www.alislam.org
Good article. Question about your motto. Considering how you have used harsh words for this Mohamed fellow, how do you reconcile that with your love for all motto? Either the motto isnt practical (since most Moslems wouldnt say they love this guy) or you folks dont walk the talk? Please do enlighten us.
Got something to say?
Examiner.com is looking for writers, photographers, and videographers to join the fastest growing group of local insiders. If you are interested in growing your online rep apply to be an Examiner today!