Al-Qaeda TIED Man – Teaching KIDS in NY?!
Concerns are mounting as Tarek Mehanna, a former convict with ties to Al-Qaeda, is now educating youth at a mosque on Staten Island, generating alarm among local citizens and officials.
At a Glance
- Mehanna, convicted of plotting with Al-Qaeda, is teaching the Qur’an at a Staten Island mosque.
- He was released from federal prison in August 2024, after serving a sentence for conspiring to kill U.S. citizens.
- Community leaders and officials express apprehension over the potential spread of radical ideas.
- The mosque defends Mehanna’s role, citing belief in rehabilitation and educational transformation.
Radical Past Raises Community Fears
Tarek Mehanna, sentenced to 17 years in 2011 for conspiring to kill Americans, is allegedly teaching Arabic and the Qur’an to young children at the Muslim Community Center of Staten Island. This has sparked concerns among local citizens and officials, who worry about the risk of radical ideology being imparted to impressionable youth. The mosque was founded by an ex-advisor to Mayor Eric Adams, and Mehanna’s association has alarmed critics worried about his influence given his extremist background.
In prison, Mehanna was housed in a special unit to prevent him from radicalizing other inmates. He translated Islamist writings and posted recruitment material for Al-Qaeda online. Released from custody in August 2024, some believe Mehanna still harbors extremist views. Post-release, Mehanna has reportedly continued to post radical content on social media, fueling fears about his current intentions.
Calls for the End of Mehanna’s Teaching Role
Community leaders, such as former Assemblyman Dov Hikind and City Councilman Frank Morano, have voiced strong opposition to Mehanna’s role at the mosque. The calls for his separation from teaching are growing louder. As Dov Hikind stated, “I’m very concerned when I see this individual is working with young people.”
“He’s not like everybody else” – Dov Hikind.
The role of teachers in shaping the minds of young children cannot be overstated. Some worry impact of Mehanna’s past actions on vulnerable minds. The FBI has detailed his involvement in providing support to Al-Qaeda and his attempts to gain military training for jihad, adding weight to calls for more stringent measures.
Debate Over Deradicalization Efforts
Mehanna’s role prompts questions about effectiveness of rehabilitation and deradicalization programs. Critics argue these initiatives often fall short. Patrick Dunleavy stated, “There is no viable deradicalization program for incarcerated terrorists.”
“There is no viable deradicalization program for incarcerated terrorists” – Patrick Dunleavy.
Proponents of Madchan argue that through rehabilitation, individuals like Mehanna can contribute positively to their communities. They assert lessons of tolerance and peace can be drawn from his past experiences. The mosque reiterates belief in second chances and transformation via education, though skeptics demand scrutiny to ensure echoes of radicalism aren’t given a platform.
