Abdussalam Bhatti, Missionary, Germany
On 20 December 2024, a car drove into a crowd at a Christmas market in Magdeburg, Germany, resulting in multiple fatalities and injuries.
The perpetrator of the attack reportedly drove a vehicle into the crowded market, resulting in at least five fatalities, including a child, and injuring over 200 individuals. (“Death toll rises to five with more than 200 injured in German Christmas market attack”, edition.cnn.com, 21 December 2024)
In response to the attack, German Chancellor Olaf Scholz expressed deep concern, describing it as a “dreadful tragedy” and emphasising the brutality of the act. (“Nine-year-old among five killed in attack on German Christmas market”, www.bbc.com, 21 December 2024)
Initial reactions in the media
In the immediate aftermath, several media outlets reported that the suspect was a 50-year-old Saudi Arabian doctor, Taleb Al-Abdulmohsen, who has resided in Germany since 2006. Somehow, the information about his origin was the most important thing about this event for most people. (“Germany attack: At least two dead and 68 injured as car ploughs into Christmas market”, www.thetimes.com, 21 December 2024)
This information led to widespread speculation on social media platforms, with many users prematurely attributing the attack to Islamist motives based solely on the suspect’s nationality. Many people were quick to conclude that the attacker must have been harbouring extremist “Islamic” views merely because he was Saudi.
In the hours following the incident, influential right-wing social media accounts falsely claimed the perpetrator was an Islamist refugee and used these unsubstantiated allegations to promote anti-immigration and anti-Muslim rhetoric.
Social media trial underway
Geert Wilders, the Dutch far-right politician, tweeted in response to the Magdeburg Christmas market attack: “They hate us. They despise our values. They kill us. And our children. We have to stand up. With perseverance and vigor, No more.” At this point, he believed the attacker to be a Muslim, reflecting his typical anti-Islamic rhetoric.
Eve Barlow, a British journalist and writer known for her outspoken views on social and political issues, immediately labelled the attack as Islamic terrorism. Addressing Sky News, she posted: “Say what it is Sky. It’s an act of Islamic terrorism.”
Journalist David Collier’s reaction was similar but he went one step further and used it for an outrageous comparison that not all doctors are equal, suggesting that Western journalists should be cautious when relying on information from Gazan sources, particularly those associated with Hamas.
Another journalist, David Frum, labeled it as an Islamic terror attack.
Clarification of the suspect’s background
As the investigation progressed, it was revealed that the suspect was not only an atheist, but was also known for his anti-Islamic rhetoric. Dr Taleb Al-Abdulmohsen has demonstrated alignment with far-right ideologies, including support for the Alternative für Deutschland (AfD) party, according to his social media activity.
His X profile (@DrTalebJawad) contains posts endorsing AfD policies and rhetoric that criticises immigration and Islam, echoing typical far-right narratives. Additionally, he has not only shared content from many prominent right-wing figures and platforms associated with extremist ideologies, but many of these right-wingers were followers of his X account
The X account linked to the suspect proudly proclaims in its bio that: “Saudi Military Opposition • Germany chases female Saudi asylum seekers, inside and outside Germany, to destroy their lives • Germany wants to Islamise Europe”.
Taleb appeared in a BBC documentary in 2019 where he clearly stated that he is an ex-Muslim and fled Saudi Arabia after he was threatened there. The documentary talks about his activism as an ex-Muslim and showcases how he helps ex-Muslims flee Muslim countries and helps them settle in the West. (“The website helping ex-Muslims flee the Gulf”, www.bbc.co.uk, 6 July 2019)
He gave extensive interviews to German newspapers as well about his activism in 2019, describing himself to the Frankfurter Allgemeine Zeitung as “the most aggressive critic of Islam in history”. “If you don’t believe me, ask the Arabs,” he said. (“Saudi Arabia warned Germany about man held over Magdeburg attack”, www.ft.com, 21 December 2024)
The suspect’s suspicious profile was no secret. German officials said Riyadh warned the German authorities that the suspected attacker, Taleb al-Abdulmohsen, a Saudi dissident who described himself as an ex-Muslim, had boasted on social media that “something big will happen in Germany”. It was unclear if police ever acted upon the warnings. (Ibid.)
The Saudi Arabian secret service sent a warning to the Federal Intelligence Service (BND) on 23 November 2023. Security experts say that the warning included posts on X by the suspect. In these posts, he wrote that Germany would pay a “price” for its allegedly bad treatment of Saudi Arabian refugees. The warning ended up at the State Criminal Police Office in Saxony-Anhalt. However, they did not see any specific threat posed by the suspect. (“Die wirre Welt des Taleb A.”, www.spiegel.de, 21 December 2024)
In June, he wrote a reply to an X post by Alice Weidel in which she commemorated the police officers killed in the knife attack in Mannheim: “In my experience, the German police are the real drivers of Islamism in Germany.”
In his post, Dr Taleb Al-Abdulmohsen expressed strong disapproval of former German Chancellor Angela Merkel’s policies, particularly her stance on immigration. He stated that, in the absence of the death penalty in Germany, Merkel should spend the rest of her life in prison “for her criminal secret project to islamize Europe.”
He seems to have been a fan of Geert Wilders who is known for his strong anti-Islam stance. As he described him as “the real hero.”
There are also signs suggesting he may have held left-wing views. Some of his social media posts indicate support for progressive causes, including criticism of certain right-wing policies and figures. For instance, he expressed solidarity with refugees and shared posts opposing nationalism and anti-immigrant sentiment. These contradictions in his online behaviour point to a more complex ideological stance.
In August this year, he posted on social media: “Is there a path to justice in Germany without blowing up a German embassy or randomly slaughtering German citizens? I have been seeking a peaceful path since January 2019 and have not found it. If anyone knows it, please let me know.” (“The ‘atheist’ Saudi refugee suspected of Germany attack”, www.france24.com, 21 December 2024)
Germany’s reaction
One wonders why the government did not take action sooner. This sentiment is shared by many in Germany who believe there should be more checks in place to screen who enters the country. This is clear by the support the AfD is currently enjoying, despite the fact that it has been classified by security services as a right-wing extremist group. (“AfD’s first ever chancellor candidate vows to be strict on migration, revive economy”, www.euronews.com, 7 December 2024)
There have been many attacks on Christmas markets in Europe in the past; this incident particularly brings to mind the attack in Berlin in 2016 when a refugee drove a truck into a crowd at a Berlin Christmas market, killing 13 people and injuring dozens more. (“Timeline: Deadly attacks on Christmas markets in Europe”, www.euronews.com, 21 December 2024)
Yet, the revelation that this immigrant held anti-Islamic sentiments has prompted a shift in the narrative, with many realising the dangers of jumping to conclusions based on initial reports. Somehow, people in Germany seemed to be surprised by the profile of the attacker. Friedrich Merz, the leader of Germany’s CDU party, which is a Christian democratic and conservative party, stated:
“Nevertheless, yesterday’s horrific act in #Magdeburg does not fit into the familiar pattern. This forces us politicians to pause for a moment and judge yesterday’s events only on the basis of reliable evidence.”
German terrorism expert Peter Neumann highlighted the surprising profile of the suspect, noting:
“After 25 years in this ‘business’, you think nothing could surprise you anymore. But a 50-year-old Saudi ex-Muslim living in East Germany, loves the AfD, and wants to punish Germany for its tolerance towards Islamists – that wasn’t on my radar.” (“Who is Taleb A., the suspect behind Magdeburg Christmas market attack?”, www.euronews.com, 21 December 2024)
Response of Ahmadiyya Muslim Community
The Ahmadiyya Muslim Community in Germany is one of the country’s oldest Muslim communities and has long been a leader in advocating for social peace and cohesion. Following the attack, the community announced that it will take part in a public commemoration event.
“We would like to express our solidarity with the victims, their relatives and the entire city of Magdeburg,” said Dr Mohammad Dawood Majoka, spokesman for the Community. “As Muslims, we condemn any form of violence and terrorism and are committed to peaceful coexistence.” (“Nach Anschlag: Muslimische Gemeinschaft will in Magdeburg Zeichen für Frieden setzen”, www.berliner-zeitung.de, 21 December 2021)
This is in line with the peaceful, just teachings of Islam that strictly forbid the killing of innocent, non-aggressive people; no hostility is allowed except against the aggressors. (Surah al-Baqarah, Ch.2: V.194)
In terms of security issues resulting from immigration, Hazrat Mirza Masroor Ahmad, Khalifatul Masih Vaa said:
“Wherever, there is large scale migration it inevitably leads to security issues. Indeed, it has been proven that hidden amongst the genuine refugees are immigrants who have the potential to cause great harm […] This is something I have warned about in the past that each case should be carefully analysed to ensure that extremists or criminals posing as refugees are not allowed to enter. Anyway, these issues mean that a fear of mass immigration from Muslim countries is to some extent justified.” (“‘Our Goal and Objective should be Nothing Less than to Establish Peace in Every Village, Town or City of Every Nation In The World’– Hazrat Mirza Masroor Ahmad”, pressahmadiyya.com, 9 September 2018)
However, Huzooraa also called for compassion and sympathy for those suffering genuine persecution or engulfed by warfare through no fault of their own:
“Society should not reject genuine refugees who are suffering through no fault of their own. Society should not cast aside innocent people who only want the opportunity to live in peace and who desire to be good citizens and follow the laws of the land in which they live. Instead, we should be there to give a helping hand to those whose lives have been broken, who have been tormented and who are utterly helpless, vulnerable and defenceless. Let us prove our humanity. Let us show our compassion. Let us be there to shoulder the burdens of those who are in desperate need.” (Ibid.)
This stance of the Ahmadiyya Muslim Community highlights a logical, moderate approach when dealing with an issue as complex as immigration. This is completely in line with the teachings of Islam that tell us that we must be moderate in our approach to all matters in life.
Conclusion
The Magdeburg incident underscores the importance of withholding judgment until all facts are known. Premature assumptions, especially those based on nationality or religion, can lead to misinformation and unwarranted prejudice. It serves as a reminder of the complexities surrounding such events and the need for responsible consumption and dissemination of information.