It is not very often that America can be included in the weekly list of Islamic massacres, but we made it this week barely 3 hours into the New Year. Let's hope it is not an omen for the coming year.
New Orleans attack updates: Suspect 'inspired by ISIS,' was military veteran
The FBI said investigators do not believe the suspect acted alone.
An Army veteran who was "hell-bent" on killing as many people as possible drove a rented pickup truck around a parked police car serving as a barricade and plowed through a crowd of New Year's revelers on Bourbon Street in New Orleans, leaving at least 15 dead and injuring dozens of others early Wednesday, city and federal officials said.
After mowing down numerous people over a three-block stretch on the famed thoroughfare while firing shots into the crowd, the suspect -- identified by sources as Shamsud-Din Jabbar, 42 -- allegedly got out of the truck wielding an assault rifle and opened fire on police officers, law enforcement officials briefed on the incident told ABC News. Officers returned fire, killing Jabbar, a U.S.-born citizen from Texas, sources said. At least two police officers were injured, one by gunfire and the other was hurt when officer was pinned by the truck, authorities said.
Undated photo of Shamsud-Din Jabbar. FBI
Althea Duncan, assistant special agent in charge of FBI New Orleans field office, said investigators do not believe Jabbar acted alone.
"We do not believe that Jabbar was solely responsible," Duncan said during a news conference Wednesday afternoon. "We are aggressively running down every lead, including those of his known associated. That's why we need the public's help. We are asking if anybody had any interaction with Shamsud-Din Jabbar in the last 72 hours that you contact us."
Biden also said "law enforcement and the intelligence community" were investigating whether there was "any possible connection" between the New Orleans attack and the explosion of a Tesla Cybertruck Sunday outside of the Trump Las Vegas hotel.
"Thus far, there's nothing to report on that score," Biden said.
New Orleans police have reviewed surveillance video that appears to show several people planting potential explosive devices in advance of the vehicle attack, which led them to believe he was not "solely responsible," sources said. Investigators are urgently working to identify the individuals who were seen on camera and take them into custody.
Duncan said Jabbar was an Army veteran. In addition to the assault rifle, Jabbar was allegedly armed with a handgun, sources told ABC News.
There is a great deal more on this story on ABC News. Please continue reading at:
Multiple law enforcement sources
Sambhal, India: Muslims attack police and Hindus
in order to disrupt a court-ordered survey, 5 dead
The city of Sambhal in Uttar Pradesh has become a flashpoint of religious strife with the unrest that erupted on Sunday, November 24, after the Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) initiated a court-ordered survey at the Shahi Jama Masjid. The Shahi Jama Masjid’s controversial history has long been a point of contention. Historical records suggest that it was constructed after the demolishing of a grand Vishnu temple on the site, the Hari Mandal, during the Mughal era.
Tensions escalated rapidly, with the word about the survey spreading far and wide. Local Muslims, incited by rumors of excavation under the mosque, mobilized and launched violent protests. Armed mobs attacked Hindu devotees near the mosque area and clashed with the police, turning what should have been a peaceful investigation into a scene of the deaths of five individuals.
As per reports, Hindu homes and shops were looted in the surrounding areas, and several Hindus sustained serious injuries. Agitated protestors also hurled stones at the police, set vehicles ablaze, and assaulted the security personnel who were given the responsibility of bringing the situation under control. Despite imposing Section 144, which allows the state’s executive magistrate to prohibit public gatherings under certain circumstances, the violence continued for hours before additional forces were deployed to restore peace.
The violent agitation not only delayed the investigation, but also highlighted the persistent attacks on Hindus in the area, and reignited horrid memories for the Hindus, who saw the riot as part of a recurring pattern of victimization.
The November 2024 Sambhal violence serves as a stark reminder of the fragile peace in areas with contested histories.
The 1978 Hindu Massacre
Memories of the 1978 riot had faded from the collective Hindu memory, but have now been rekindled. As many as 184 Hindus were reportedly burnt alive during the sectarian riots. Miscreants chopped off a Hindu businessman’s hands and legs for helping some people monetarily. Muslims attacked Hindu homes, and Hindu families were forced to flee. Rioters destroyed several Hindu temples. One such temple in the Khaggu Sarai area remained locked and neglected for decades, a poignant symbol of Hindu suffering.
It was only during a recent anti-encroachment drive that this ancient temple was rediscovered. Inside, idols of the Hindu deities Lord Shiva and Hanuman were found, along with an ancient well. The reopening of the temple has served as a glimmer of hope and restoration for the Hindus.
A Timeline of Attacks on Hindus
Speaking about the issue at the Legislative Assembly, Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath reiterated that Sambhal has a history of communal tensions, and that 209 Hindus have been killed in such attacks in Sambhal since independence.
- 1985 Communal Clashes: Hindu shops and homes were looted and burned during an altercation that escalated into widespread violence.
- 1992 Post-Babri Masjid Demolition Riots: Following the demolition of the Babri Masjid, large-scale violence was unleashed on the Hindu families who had already been reduced to a minority post the 1978 mayhem. People were assaulted, and homes burned.
- 2006 Ganesh Chaturthi Procession Attack: Muslim miscreants attacked a peaceful Hindu procession with stones, resulting in injuries and property damage.
- 2013 Muzaffarnagar Spillover: Riots in Muzaffarnagar spilled over into Sambhal, with Hindus reporting attacks on their homes and businesses.
- 2020 Anti-CAA Protests: During protests against the Citizenship Amendment Act (CAA), Hindu residents faced mob violence, including vandalism of homes and shops.
Rediscovering Hindu Heritage Amid Hostility
Soon after the Shiva temple’s rediscovery mentioned above, another ancient structure resembling ancient Hindu architecture was found in the Hayatnagar area, 1.5 kilometers from the Shahi Jama Masjid. These discoveries reinforce claims of a deep Hindu heritage in Sambhal. The district administration has directed the ASI to conduct further investigations. Still, the process has faced violent opposition from Islamic groups, and attempts to discredit the efforts have been made repeatedly.
The recent violence and historical context reveal a disturbing pattern of targeting the Hindus in Sambhal. Fanatical mobs meet each step that the Hindus take toward reclaiming their heritage with hostility that immediately lead to bloodshed. The Hindu community’s attempts to peacefully assert their historical rights are translated as provocations, while their victimhood is criminally overlooked.
The 2024 Sambhal violence is not an isolated incident. It is part of a larger conspiracy that was aimed at Hindu displacement, desecration of temples, and denial of cultural heritage. The reopening of temples and ongoing surveys are attempts to correct these historical wrongs, but they face fierce resistance. While communal harmony is paramount for a country with such diverse religious traditions, it cannot be founded on the denial of history. It is not just the responsibility of the Hindu to maintain harmony, but also the moral duty of the Muslims to undo the historical wrongs done centuries ago and move forward with civility.
Does anyone seriously think that Muslims are capable of doing that?
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