Muslims in Western nations should use their citizenship to apply pressure on governments, advocate for political change, and engage the global Muslim community, according to Tarek al-Swaidan, a Kuwaiti Muslim leader who is banned from the United States.
During an episode of the Thinking Muslim podcast, Al-Swaidan, known for his significant influence online, discussed the need for Muslim youth in the U.S. and Europe to leverage their Western citizenship to impact elections and challenge policies concerning Israel.
“This is your country, and you must push politicians to alter their stances; if they ignore you, let them be held accountable during elections,” he stated.
He urged Muslims in the West to use their citizenship to sway domestic policies that align with Islamic interests, underscoring the importance of political engagement and voting to support the global Muslim community.
“Employ your citizenship, your businesses, and your faith,” he remarked, noting that Muslim youth today have the potential to significantly shape the political landscape without the fear that earlier immigrants experienced.
When discussing peace with Israel, he dismissed the notion, stating, “I have never encountered a religious leader advocating for this—not in the Arab world, anyway; these are merely politicians.”
Al-Swaidan also downplayed the consequences of conflict in Gaza, stating, “We do not fear death… Those who die are with Allah in the highest paradise. If there’s destruction, we will rebuild.” He reflected on his long stay in the U.S. and the education of his children, asserting a comfort with Western society and its mechanisms.
“My children are in America, and they describe campus life as incredible,” he noted, adding, “I understand the West from a personal perspective.”
Today’s Muslim youth in Western nations possess both “the strength of Islam and the capabilities of the Western world,” and he encouraged them to take action, saying, “I know the West intimately and I engage with Muslim youth frequently.”
He expressed admiration for their confidence, contrasting it with the feelings of inferiority often held by older generations of immigrants.
An excerpt from an interview published in 2023 and revisited recently was reported by the Middle East Media Institute (MEMRI).
Al-Swaidan has been identified as an unreliable co-conspirator in the Holy Land Foundation trial, a significant terrorist financing case in U.S. history, leading to a conviction related to the transfer of funds to Hamas. He is also prohibited from entering both the U.S. and Belgium due to his extremist views.
In 2013, Saudi Prince Alwaleed Bintalal publicly distanced himself from his role at the Al Lelesala TV Channel and acknowledged his affiliation with the Muslim Brotherhood, which is considered a terrorist group by several nations.
Repeatedly, Al-Swaidan has asserted that Western civilization is on the verge of collapse and proclaims, “Islam is rising,” calling for a restoration of the Islamic caliphate in accordance with Sharia law. He has urged Muslims to accelerate the decline of Western civilization, warning that Muslim peace is not far off.
In a 2014 sermon, he propagated fear toward Israel, stating that the Jewish state was destined to be eradicated and incited hostility toward its people.
His recent recommendations for Muslims in the West to utilize their citizenship for political leverage have drawn scrutiny, particularly due to his connections to organizations linked to terrorism.
