Former Mayo Clinic Researcher Indicted on Terrorism Charges

A Pakistani doctor and former Mayo Clinic researcher was in has been indicted on one count of attempting to provide material support to a foreign terrorist organization after authorities say he told paid FBI informants that he pledged allegiance to the Islamic State group and wanted to carry out lone wolf attacks in the U.S.  Twenty-eight year old Muhammad Masood was in the U.S. on a work visa and was arrested on March 19, 2020.  He has since been  indicted on terrorism charges.  Prosecutors state that Dr. Masood had been planning to fly to Jordan, then travel to Syria to join ISIS, but the COVID-19 epidemic lead to closed borders.  This is not an isolated incident.  Minnesota is becoming known as the "Terrorist Recruiting Capital of the Nation."  Roughly three dozen Minnesotans, mostly Somali immigrants, have left since 2007 to join the Jihadist terrorist group Al-Shabaab.  

This arrest should also serve as a warning that those who are service workers and educated are not above carrying out terrorist attacks.  In 2007, eight Jihadist terrorists from Jordan, Iraq, and Saudi Arabia were arrested for attempting to carry out car bombing attacks in London.  Six of these terrorists were either doctors or medical students.  These Jihadists, like so many others, had their psyche changed when the became convinced through radical Islamist teachings that Jihad against the Infidel is the greatest deed that a Muslim can do and that they're promised Reward in Paradise if they give their lives to this cause.  

These preaching's by the Radical Islamists are strongly supported by many of the statements made in Orthodox Islamic writings:

Sahih Muslim 4294

Fight in the name of Allah and in the way of Allah.  Fight against those who disbelieve in Allah.  Make a Holy War …When you meet your enemies who are polytheist, invite them to three courses of action.  If the respond to any one of these, you can also accept it and withhold yourself from doing them any harm.  Invite them to Islam; if they respond to your, accept it and desist from fighting against them….If the refuse to accept Islam, demand from them the Jizya (Qur’an 9:29).  If they agree to pay, accept it from them and hold off your hands.  If they refuse to pay the tax, seek Allah’s help and fight them.

Sahih Bukhari 52:44

A man came to Allah's Apostle and said, "Instruct me as to such a deed as equals Jihad (in reward)." He replied, "I do not find such a deed."

Sahih Muslim 20:4696

"the Messenger of Allah (may peace be upon him) said: 'One who died but did not fight in the way of Allah nor did he express any desire (or determination) for Jihad died the death of a hypocrite.'"

Sources:

Gabrielle, Bridget.  They Must Be Stopped.  New York: St. Martin’s Griffin, 2008.

"Fmr Mayo Clinic Researcher Muhammad Masoon Indicted on Terrorism Charge."  CBS Minnesota.  May 15, 2020.  Accessed from https://minnesota.cbslocal.com/2020/05/15/fmr-mayo-clinic-researcher-muhammad-masood-indicted-on-terrorism-charge/.