Federal Terrorism Conviction for Son of Cleric Siraj Wahhaj Spotlights Family's Controversies

The family of prominent American Muslim cleric Siraj Wahhaj has recently come under renewed scrutiny following the federal terrorism conviction of his son, Siraj Ibn Wahhaj, in 2023. This development brings to light a history of controversial statements and associations linked to the elder Wahhaj, as outlined in a recent social media post by Drew Pavlou. The conviction stems from an August 2018 incident in New Mexico, where Siraj Ibn Wahhaj and others were arrested at a compound.

Siraj Ibn Wahhaj was found guilty of federal terrorism and kidnapping charges related to the death of his three-year-old son, Abdul-Ghani Wahhaj, whose remains were discovered at the compound. Additionally, two of Siraj Wahhaj's daughters, Hujrah Wahhaj and Subhanah Wahhaj, were also arrested in connection with the New Mexico incident, facing child abuse charges, though kidnapping charges against them were later dropped. The case drew national attention to the family's activities and beliefs.

The elder Siraj Wahhaj himself was named an unindicted co-conspirator in the 1993 World Trade Center bombing, a significant terrorist attack on American soil. He later testified as a character witness for Omar Abdel-Rahman, famously known as the "Blind Sheikh," who was convicted as the mastermind behind the plot. During his testimony, Wahhaj praised Abdel-Rahman as a "respected scholar" and a "bold, strong preacher of Islam," according to the social media post.

Omar Abdel-Rahman, the "Blind Sheikh," was known for issuing extreme fatwas and delivering inflammatory sermons. According to reports, he declared it lawful to rob banks and kill Jews in the U.S., and his sermons often condemned Americans as "descendants of apes and pigs," urging followers to "kill them on the sea, air, or land." These pronouncements underscore the radical ideology associated with Abdel-Rahman.

Siraj Wahhaj has also been documented making controversial statements regarding the establishment of an Islamic state and the role of democracy in the U.S. In a November 1991 lecture, he advocated for an Islamic state, stating, > "Wherever you came from, you came to America. And you came for one reason—for one reason only—to establish Allah's deen," as quoted in the tweet. He further encouraged Muslims to use politics "as a weapon... in the cause of Islam."

Beyond these political views, Siraj Wahhaj has openly declared his desire to abolish democracy in favor of Islamic law, stating, > "Islam is better than democracy. Allah will cause Islam to prevail over every kind of system." He has also publicly expressed his belief that the proper penalty for adultery should be stoning to death, consistent with certain interpretations of Islamic law. These statements highlight a consistent ideological stance on societal governance and justice.