In a sermon on November 29, 2024, Dr. Moustafa Al-Qazwini, Imam of the Islamic Education Center of Orange County, California, addressed comments made by South Carolina Senator Lindsey Graham, who called for the defeat of the Shi'ites in the Middle East, claiming they believe in a "divine mandate to kill all Jews." Al-Qazwini sought to discredit Graham's remarks by pointing out that there are Jews living in Muslim countries, where they have synagogues and businesses. He said he visited synagogues in Iran, where he observed that Jews "enjoy full freedom" and do not want to immigrate to Israel. He also referenced a visit he made to a synagogue in Irvine, California, during which, he said, he and his congregants were required to wear a yarmulke.
Al-Qazwini called on Senator Graham to the Shi'a Muslim community worldwide, emphasizing that Shi'ite Muslims "don't hurt or attack anyone," and are peaceful people, who are "victims of terrorism" and are currently under attack in countries Syria, Lebanon, Yemen, Iran, and Iraq.
MEMRI has exposed pro-terror and antisemitic statements made by Al-Qazwini, prompting him to issue a retraction in 2017 for saying that the Islamic State was created by Israel. In a May 2024 Friday sermon, he praised Hamas. In November 2023, he said that the Jews killed their prophets, are liars, and that "the enemies of Gaza" are "the enemies of mankind". In 2009, he said that the very "nature" of Zionists is "offensive, aggressive, and hostile" and said Hamas is not a terror organization.
The following report includes the clip of Al-Qazwini's recent condemnation of Senator Graham's statement and description of his friendly interactions with Jews, followed by clips and a report about Al-Qazwini from the MEMRI TV archive.
Orange County, California Imam Moustafa Al-Qazwini: Senator Lindsey Graham Should Retract His Statement Calling For The Defeat Of Shi'a Islam In Middle East And Claiming Shi'ites Have Divine Mandate To Kill Jews: 'Shi'ites Don't Attack Anyone, Are Victims Of Terrorism'; 'I've Visited Synagogues In Iran, Where Jews Have Full Freedom'– November 2024
Click here or below to view the clip on MEMRI TV:
Moustafa Al-Qazwini: "A few days ago on the Senate floor, the South Carolina Senator Lindsey Graham made very disturbing and disparaging remarks against the Shi'a Muslim community worldwide.
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"He called for the defeat of the Shi'a Islam. This is what he says exactly: 'Shi'a Islam in the Middle East.' Why? 'Because the Shi'a Muslims believe in a divine mandate to kill all Jews.'
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"He stands on the Senate floor and he says all Shi'a Muslims should be killed and destroyed because they have a divine mandate to murder all Jews. Do you know how many thousands, hundreds of thousands of Jews live in Iran? In Tehran, Shiraz, and Isfahan. They have their synagogues, their shops, their businesses. Many of them are merchants. Some of them are members in the Iranian Parliament today.
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"I have been to synagogues. I myself have been to synagogues. In Isfahan and Shiraz and Tehran. They are enjoying full freedom. Full freedom! And they don't want to move to Israel. They say 'we have freedom in this country why should we go to that country?'
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"And I am sending him a message through this. He has to retract his very disturbing, very disturbing, disparaging remarks and he has to apologize to the Shi'a Muslim community worldwide.
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"Shi'ite Muslims are the followers of Muhammad.
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"They don't hurt anyone, they don't attack anyone. They are the victims of terrorism.
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"In Syria, outside Aleppo, Haleb, there are two villages, Nubl and Zahra, that are under attack and under siege right now. Right now at this moment! I've been to these villages 50 years ago when I was a child, peaceful people. They've done nothing. The Shi'a of Yemen are under attack, the Shi'a of Lebanon are under attack, the Shi'a of Iran, the Shi'a of Iraq.
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"We have no problem with the Jews. We – myself and many of you here – we visited the largest Jewish community in Irvine here. And many of you had to wear the yarmulke.
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"The Shi'a Muslims of Lebanon are the best Shi'a, the most loyal Shi'a. The most steadfast Shi'a in the world."
California Imam Moustafa Al-Qazwini Offers Condolences On Death Of Iranian Leaders, Adds: ICC Arrest Warrants Against Netanyahu, Gallant Are Brave Step; America Is Complicit; Inclusion Of Hamas Leaders Is 'Unfortunate' –They Are Resisting Humiliation – May 2024
Dr. Sayed Moustafa Al-Qazwini said in his May 24, 2024 Friday sermon at the Islamic Education Center of Orange County, California that the International Criminal Court (ICC) seeking to file arrest warrants against Israeli PM Netanyahu and Defense Minister Gallant are a "brave step" and a victory for truth and justice. He added that it is unfortunate that the ICC is also seeking arrest warrants against Palestinian leaders, referring to Hamas leaders Ismail Haniyeh, Yahya Sinwar, and Mohammed Deif, because they were "resisting occupation and humiliation."
Qazwini stated: "America is complicit in this genocide against the people of Palestine and Gaza." Earlier in his sermon, Qazwini expressed his condolences to the Iranian nation on the loss of its leadership. He said that this was not a conspiracy but a test from Allah, and he asked Allah to embrace the martyrs with His mercy. The sermon was streamed live on the YouTube channel of the Islamic Education Center of Orange County.
Click here or below to view the clip on MEMRI TV:
Dr. Moustafa Al-Qazwini: "We give condolences to all the believers, to the Iranian Nation for the loss of their leadership. This is a test. It's a test. It's not a conspiracy... test from God.
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"We ask Allah subhanahu wa ta'ala to embrace them, those martyrs, with his mercy, with his forgiveness, with his blessings, inshallah, and empower our nation, empower the Muslim ummah worldwide inshallah ta'ala.
"One of the most important events of this week – this past week – is that the warrant – arrest warrant – issued by the International Criminal Court. The chief prosecutor, he issued an arrest warrant against the criminal Netanyahu and his war minister on the counts of war crimes – one of the counts.
"Though unfortunately politics played a role here and he also issued another arrest warrant against the Palestinian leaders who are fighting for their life, for their dignity, for their land, for their people. Resisting that occupation. Resisting the humiliation. But still, the arrest warrant against the Israeli leaders is a victory – victory for the truth, victory for the justice. Because no one dealt before, for so many years, to convict the state of Israel and to accuse the state of Israel. This is the first brave step taken to implementing justice inshallah. Of course, the United States of America was the first nation to condemn this act. It's not strange. America is complicit in this crime. America is complicit in this genocide against the people of Gaza and Palestine."
California Imam Dr. Sayed Moustafa Al-Qazwini: The Jews Killed Their Prophets, Are Entitled Liars; The Enemies Of Gaza Are The Enemies Of Mankind, Humanity – November 2023
California imam Dr. Sayed Moustafa al-Qazwini said, in a November 17, 2023, Friday sermon streamed lived at the Islamic Education Center of Orange County on YouTube on November 17, 2023, that the Jews have killed their prophets, have a sense of entitlement, and are liars. He said that Allah had forewarned the Jews against lying and fabricating, but the Jews justify targeting hospitals in Gaza, by claiming these are centers of Hamas, and then leading a disinformation campaign of lies and fabrications for which they can't find proof. He prayed that Allah grant victory to the people of Gaza against its enemies, and he added that the enemies of Gaza are the enemies of mankind and the enemies of humanity.
Click here or below to view the clip on MEMRI TV:
Moustafa Al-Qazwini: "They [the Jews] did not listen, they were the first people to disbelieve, to disbelieve their own book. In their own book, [it says] they murdered -- not Arab prophets--Jewish prophets. They murdered them. Do you know why this happens? Because when you believe you are the best person, and you are above others…This is the result of racism. The result of racism is to see yourself have the sense of entitlement to do anything. And you are not binded by any law; you are above the law. This is the result of racism.
"And when they target the hospitals, they claim these are the centers of Hamas, but they go there and they don't find anything. But then they fabricate. They lead a campaign of disinformation, lies, and fabrications. They think that people are naïve, that people don't understand. And God forewarned them, 3,500 years ago. God said to them: [Arabic] "Do not confound the truth with falsehood. And do not, neither, knowingly conceal the truth, while you know." Don't do that, don't lie, don't fabricate, speak the truth--but they don't listen. We pray that Allah will descend His victory, His aid, and His support, upon the people of Gaza, inshallah, and defeats their enemies, because they are the enemies of mankind, the enemies of humanity."
California Imam Exposed By MEMRI Retracts His Antisemitic Statements – August 2017
Earlier this month, MEMRI released a clip of Iraqi-American Shi'ite Imam Dr. Sayed Moustafa Al-Qazwini stating, in his June 23, 2017 sermon at the Islamic Educational Center of Orange County (IECOC) in Costa Mesa, California, of which he is founder and director, that ISIS was the production of Israeli intelligence. "Most of their officers were trained in Israel, including [ISIS leader] Abu Bakr Al-Baghdadi," he said. He added: "All of you know who established ISIS, Al-Qaeda, and all of these terrorist organizations. You know very well. You know who paid for them, who financed them, who helped them, who purchased weapons for them, who even trained them, who protected them. You know that. This is not the production of Islam. Islam is not responsible for ISIS. There are certain agencies and governments, who established... They put hand in hand to establish ISIS, to demolish Islam from within. This was the plan. And every day we discover... It's not... We don't discover... The rest... We knew this... We knew the story from the beginning. When ISIS occupied Mosul three years ago, I gave a speech in Iraq. I said: 'ISIS is the production of the Israeli intelligence.' The Israeli intelligence... Most of their officers were trained in Israel, including Abu Bakr Al-Baghadi, who went to hell, I think, two or three days ago."
On August 25, Imam Qazwini apologized for and retracted his statements linking Israel and ISIS. The retraction was posted on the IECOC's Twitter feed and website. It read:
"Imam Dr. Sayed Moustafa al-Qazwini Retracts Statement Linking Israel to ISIS
"Imam Dr. Sayed Moustafa al-Qazwini retracts the comments that he made in a lecture on June 23, 2017, in which he stated that ISIS and other terrorist groups were supported by Israeli intelligence. While Imam al-Qazwini made these comments based on information that he had received from Iraqi political and military sources, after careful reflection on the reliability of these sources and on the realization of the extent to which these comments have offended and hurt members of the Jewish community, he has decided to rescind his comments.
"At this critical time in America in which religious and ethnic communities face discrimination and hostility, Imam al-Qazwini understands the insensitivity of his statements and apologizes for the pain he has caused, especially to his Jewish friends. He appreciates the importance of engaging in genuine interfaith relations and solidarity with members of all faith traditions, based on mutual respect and trust. Imam al-Qazwini prays that all communities can come together in peace and solidarity to overcome the common challenges of our time."
Al-Qazwini's Retraction On Twitter
Twitter.com/IECOC/status/900968950757941253
Iraqi-American Shi'ite Imam Moustafa Al-Qazwini In Sermon At Islamic Educational Center Of Orange County, California: ISIS Is The Production Of Israeli Intelligence – June 2017
In a sermon delivered in Orange County, California, Iraqi-American Shi'ite Imam Dr. Sayed Moustafa Al-Qazwini said that ISIS was the production of Israeli intelligence. "Most of their officers were trained in Israel, including Abu Bakr Al-Baghdadi," he said. The sermon was delivered on June 23 and was posted on the YouTube channel of the Islamic Educational Center of Orange County on June 29.
Click here or below to view the clip on MEMRI TV:
Imam Sayed Moustafa Al-Qazwini: "All of you know who established ISIS, Al-Qaeda, and all of these terrorist organizations. You know very well. You know who paid for them, who financed them, who helped them, who purchased weapons for them, who even trained them, who protected them. You know that. This is not the production of Islam. Islam is not responsible for ISIS. There are certain agencies and governments, who established... They put hand in hand to establish ISIS, to demolish Islam from within. This was the plan. And every day we discover... It's not... We don't discover... The rest... We knew this... We knew the story from the beginning. When ISIS occupied Mosul three years ago, I gave a speech in Iraq. I said: 'ISIS is the production of the Israeli intelligence.' The Israeli intelligence... Most of their officers were trained in Israel, including Abu Bakr Al-Baghadi, who went to hell, I think, two or three days ago."
California Friday Sermon by Imam Moustafa Al-Qazwini: If Hamas Are Terrorists, then Washington and Lincoln Were the First Terrorists (Archival) – January 2009
In a Friday sermon delivered in 2009 at the Islamic Educational Center of Orange County, California, Imam Moustafa Al-Qazwini talked about the nature of the "Zionists." "If you read their history in the Quran, and the Old Testament," he said, "You will find that their nature is offensive, aggressive, and hostile," adding that their ideology is that "we are the masters, and the rest of the Earth's population are our servants." Imam Al-Qazwini further talked about Hamas being labeled "terrorist," and said that "the one who wants to free his country is not a terrorist. If he is a terrorist, then George Washington was the first terrorist. Abraham Lincoln was the first terrorist." The sermon was delivered on January 16, 2009, and posted on the YouTube channel of the Islamic Educational Center of Orange County.
Click here or below to view the clip on MEMRI TV:
Moustafa Al-Qazwini: "1.5 million of our brothers and sisters in Gaza are under siege for almost three weeks. The Israeli army, which is called the 'defense' force, is attacking them – there is a wholesale military attack, a disproportionate brutal attack, on mostly civilians. Up to this morning, the number of martyrs in Gaza reached 1,200. Almost 400 of them were children, 400 of those.
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"These things are happening for two reasons, brothers and sisters. There are two reasons for this. One is the nature of the Zionist. The nature of those Zionists, if you read their history in the Quran, and the Old Testament – not only the Quran – you will find that their nature is offensive, aggressive, and hostile. Israel today survives on hostility. The reason why Israel is there is to survive on killing others, hostility, and war, not only against its own people, but against anyone, any country, any entity, any group that disagrees with them. Either you have to acknowledge them – that they are right and what they do is justified... If you disagree with them, you don't deserve to live. Their ideology is that God created all the nations on Earth, each and everybody to serve us – to be our servant and our slave. We are the masters, and the rest of the Earth's population are our servants.
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"Therefore, you cannot have peace with such an entity. You can't. This is an illusion. Some people say: Yes, we can have... No. This is a trap. Peace based on what? Peace based on injustice and aggression? That is not peace. That is a recipe for further aggression, further bloodshed. So this is one part of the story. The second part of the story is the indifference and the failure of the Arab and Muslim regimes.
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"Allah says about the believers: 'tough against the unbelievers.' When it comes to the infidels, the enemies of God, the enemies of humanity, we have to be tough and aggressive with them. Among ourselves, we have to help each other, we have to be merciful to each other, but our Arab governments are doing exactly the opposite. Exactly.
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"There is one border crossing between Gaza and Egypt, and Egypt has shut that border, so they cannot take even the wounded people inside Egypt. No food, no drink, no supplies, no medicine, no ambulances – they don't. Because Hamas has to be crushed and has to be killed. Hamas is a terrorist organization. The real terrorist is Hosni Mubarak. This is the real terrorist, who sold his country. The one who wants to free his country is not a terrorist.
"If he is a terrorist, then George Washington was the first terrorist. Abraham Lincoln was the first terrorist. They freed America from the British occupation. What does America say about George Washington? Do they salute him, or do they curse him? They salute him. If you want to free your territory, your land, and your country, you are not – not only in the language of the Quran, but in the language and logic of any divine book... You are not a terrorist. You are defending your home, yourself, your honor, your kids, your land, and your rights."
