The Houston Muslim community is in shock following an attack carried out by Shamsud-Din Jabbar, a local resident, in New Orleans. On New Year's Day, Jabbar drove a truck through a crowd on Bourbon Street, killing 14 people and injuring over 30. A makeshift ISIS flag was found on the truck, and the FBI has classified the incident as a terrorist attack.
As reported by Click2Houston, before the attack, Jabbar had made threats to his family and exhibited concerning behavior, including two divorces. His ties to Masjid Bilal and the local community have raised concerns among local Muslims. Law enforcement quickly assured the public that Jabbar acted alone and that there were "no threats to residents in the area."
The Islamic Society of Greater Houston (ISGH) and other Muslim groups strongly condemned the attack. In a statement obtained by Click2Houston, ISGH called it an "act of terror and pure evil."
According to KHOU, the Houston chapter of the Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR) also condemned the attack, calling it "tragic and senseless." CAIR emphasized their position by stating, "We unequivocally denounce this crime and stand in solidarity with the people of New Orleans. We encourage anyone with information to assist law enforcement and offer prayers for all affected."
The Islamic Shura Council of Greater New Orleans said, "We are horrified by the attack last night on our community, which has resulted in many casualties and injuries. It has left us all in shock, and we are in mourning for the loss of our fellow citizens.Our prayers as Muslims of the Greater New Orleans Area are with the victims and their families during this difficult time, and we extend our deepest sympathies to all those affected,” in a Click2Houston report."
