According to Florida Imam Abu Usama At-Thahabi, Christianity today is “paganism” and Christians are “pagans” and “not believers.” He urged Muslims to reject Western cultural influences and warned them against wishing others a “Merry Christmas” or even “happy holidays.” These comments were made at the Masjid As-Sunnah mosque and Islamic center serving the Orlando, Florida, area.
In this sermon, the American-born Abu Usama delivered a scathing critique of Christianity. He said that the faith was polluted with pagan practices. He also urged Muslims to remain steadfast in their identity. He said, “The Christians today, the ones you know, those of us who are reverts [to Islam], our relatives — Christians — are pagans.”
He added “It’s not a nice word to be called a pagan. They think they’re believers, but they’re not believers — [they’re] pagans.” He continued to argue that Christianity today is a pagan religion,” the Imam called out Christian traditions, which he claimed bear “absolutely no connection” to Jesus. He mocked the idea that Jesus was born on Christmas or is the son of God.
“The Christians of that time borrowed this practice of Christmas from the Greek pagans and made it their religion,” he stated. He also lambasted Muslims who adopt these traditions, condemning those who feel compelled to say “Merry Christmas” or participate in the celebrations. Imam Abu Usama At-Thahabi warned against letting Muslim children “watch movies when the theme has anything to do with Christmas,”
He specifically pointed to new films Sonic the Hedgehog and Mufasa: The Lion King as examples.He also added that “As Muslims, how are we going to allow ourselves in any shape, form, or fashion, to show any type of good pleasure or goodwill towards Christians when their holiday comes?” he carried on “Don’t [even] say to these people ‘Happy holidays.’”
He also explained how “The response [should be]: ‘I don’t like this… I’m not going to smile and placate you in this,” he added, warning that Christians becoming “polytheists and pagans” will happen to the Muslim community if it is “going to follow the Jews and the Christians.” He implored the audience “to make Jihad in this religion not to fall into practicing the religion in a way that what happened to those people.”
Abu Usama has a history of inflammatory rhetoric. He previously slammed US politicians “…Lindsey Graham and Joe Biden – these criminals…We have to use …[prayer] and other than that, we have to ask Allah with …[sincerity] to help His religion… to deal with these people who are criminals the way that they are dealing with innocent people around the globe.”
He has also made controversial claims about Jews. He said “Those Jews – they hide the truth. They conceal the truth. And they conceal knowledge. That’s how they are. That’s what I see when I meet these people.” He’s also said ” They trick you. ‘.. looking at you, like Satan.” He believes that Islam is destined to ‘flourish‘ and take over America. This is far from the only time he has courted controversy.