During an August 2, 2024, Friday sermon in Pullman, Washington, Imam Raed Alsawaier made controversial remarks, calling for the destruction of “plundering Zionists” and asking Allah not to “spare a single one of them.”
In the sermon, which was streamed live on the Pullman Islamic Center’s YouTube channel, Alsawaier condemned Israel’s actions, describing them as “state terror” and accusing the country of labeling anyone who opposes it as a “terrorist” to justify assassinations.
The sermon followed the assassination of Hamas leader Ismail Haniyeh, and Alsawaier drew comparisons to historical figures from the American War of Independence, questioning whether they would be labeled as “terrorists” under similar circumstances. He prayed for the support of Muslims in Gaza and called for the annihilation of the Zionists, repeating his plea for Allah to count them “one by one” and to “scatter them.”
The Pullman Islamic Center has not responded to requests for comment regarding the sermon. However, the center has reported attempts by users to share the video on social media, seeking to have it removed.
