According to a recording sent to the Reuters news agency, a top Hamas leader who is in charge of radical Islamists across the world has called for Muslims to “head to the squares and streets of the Arab and Islamic world on Friday,” and protest in support of Palestinians who raped, tortured, mutilated and murdered Jews in Israel on Saturday.
Some have interpreted this to mean that Friday will be an unsafe day for people to be mixing and mingling anywhere near radical Muslims.
Former Hamas chief Khaled Meshaal does not live in Gaza but is based in Qatar, called on the governments and people of Jordan, Syria, Lebanon, and Egypt to join in the war that the Palestinians of Gaza have started against Israel.
“Tribes of Jordan, sons of Jordan, brothers and sisters of Jordan… This is a moment of truth and the borders are close to you, you all know your responsibility,” Meshaal said in the recorded statement.
Commentators on social media have interpreted this to mean a day of possible terrorism.
“Hamas is calling for an international day of terrorism on Friday, October 13th,” wrote Rogan Handley, known by the handle on X/Twitter as DC Draino. “Some are adjusting their schedules and I understand that I will not be changing 1 thing about my daily life b/c I will not let terrorism win I will, however, be carrying an extra mag.”
Joey Mannarino, a political strategist, on X/Twitter cautioned, “The leader of Hamas just called for a Global Day of Jihad this Friday. Do not leave your homes that day unless there is an emergency. Avoid public transit. Avoid airplanes. Avoid public events.”
Handley and Mannarino may not be far off. Jihad is a struggle or fight against the enemies of Islam, as perceived by Islamists. Islam is a top-down religion and the “Islamic world” is anywhere Islam is practiced. It is also sometimes called the “Islamic community,” or “Ummah,” which is not defined by geopolitical borders.
Anyone or any country supporting Israel or Jewish people may be considered an enemy by some militants, who may interpret Khaled Meshaal’s words with what it means to protest, and what is their “responsibility.”
