Islam according to Kamala Harris

When politicians act as scholars of religion, especially when they discuss Islam as if they actually know what they’re talking about, one should expect ignorant claims and disastrous arguments, with harmful consequences to humanity.

And, yes, I am talking about Vice President Kamala Harris.

In a video of the vice president speaking to a crowd of Muslims at the Islamic Center of Southern California in July, Harris, speaking as if she understands Islam, voiced dissatisfaction with how people associate acts of terror with Islam.

In a bizarre statement, she declared: “We must object when they use the term ‘radical Islamic terror.’” The video is also posted on her Facebook page.

Of course, Harris was pleased with the look of satisfaction on the attendees. Harris never elaborated as to how we should describe acts of terror executed under the banner of Islam. If the world follows Harris’ ill-informed statement, we should all turn a blind eye when we see atrocities accomplished by self-identified Muslims who state that they’re pursuing Islam and the application of its commands.

By now, it’s clear that Harris doesn’t know what she is talking about. In pursuit of her political goals, her positions are sometimes as changeable as the weather.

But why would she deny the undeniable role of Islam in Muslim terrorism? And why is she so mistaken in her fanciful claim regarding radical Islamic terror?

Harris inherited from President Joe Biden a problematic situation with American Muslim voters, and she needs those Muslim voters. She inherited an entire set of problems.

First, in recent months, Biden lost favor among American Muslims due to his approach to the Israel-Hamas war in Gaza. They voiced dissatisfaction and even anger with him and wanted him to know that, as they sought to galvanize voters to hurt Biden’s chances for reelection in November.

According to the Minneapolis-based Star Tribune, some Muslim activists formed a coalition, labeling it “Abandon Biden.” Its explicit goal was to defeat him in battleground states in November, as they “want to politically punish the president for what they describe as enabling mass civilian casualties in Gaza.” With this in mind, Harris is thus beginning her campaign with a significant disadvantage among Muslim voters and she wants to change that.

By speaking to Muslims in California, which has the largest Muslim population in the United States, Harris aimed to galvanize momentum among Muslim voters in the United States, who most likely wouldn’t approve of her radical leftist policies but would clearly appreciate her positive sentiments on Islam.

Second, to secure the presidency, Harris crucially needs to win the swing state of Michigan, which has a significantly large Muslim population (as is also true of California, New York, and New Jersey). Michigan is clearly a critical spot for Democrats, as many American Muslims showed dissatisfaction in Democratic primaries in November, when thousands of them voted “uncommitted,” in order to send a message to Democrats that Muslims oppose their approach to the Gaza war.

Thus, Harris must work to change Biden’s lack of appeal among Muslims, who are to this point unwilling to support the Democrats in this presidential cycle. Against this background, we can now imagine why Harris made her bizarre statement, calling the world to object to the use of the term “radical Islamic terror.”

But Harris is wrong about Islamic terror, and she has to know it. Islam and its texts clearly and explicitly drive some Muslims to commit acts of terrorism. There is no doubt about that fact. These Muslims act in accordance with and in fulfillment of what they view as sacred commands, grounded in authoritative Muslim texts.

In Islam’s scripture, Allah encourages his believers, saying, “I am with you,” and promising, “I will cast terror into the hearts of those who disbelieved, so strike [them] upon the necks and strike from them every fingertip.” Thus, the Quran itself uses the word “terror” and insists that Allah cast his terror in the hearts of non-Muslims, allowing Muslims to slaughter them. Even Muhammad, the most important human figure for Muslims, states that, “I have been helped by terror (in the hearts of enemies).” Thus, even the most trusted statements of Muhammad reveal he was made victorious by terror.

When radical Muslims rely on such statements, they believe they’re doing service to Allah and in following Muhammad’s example. But Harris misrepresented Islam and its commands—and this misrepresentation should be scandalous. This misrepresentation also undermines our own national security and puts American lives at risk.