Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth faced criticism after pictures of controversial tattoos from a recent Pearl Harbor military exercise appeared online.
According to the images released last week, Hegseth has the Arabic word “kafir” engraved beneath his right bicep. A person who rejects or disbelieves in God is described by this Quranic statement.
The Arabic tattoo is located close to another inscription that says “Deus Vult,” a Latin phrase typically associated with the First Crusade.
In response, Nihad Awad, national executive director of the Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR), issued a harsh statement.
“It seems that Islam is so rent-free in Pete Hegseth’s head that he feels the need to ink his opposition to Islam and his sympathy for the failed Crusaders, who committed violent crimes against Jews, Muslims, and even fellow Christians centuries ago,” Awad claims.
The Context
Pete Hegseth, who publicly identifies as a Christian, frequently emphasizes the significant influence his faith has on his private life and public demeanor.
His religious views are not only mirrored in his speech but are also permanently etched on his body in the form of many tattoos that convey his beliefs, worldview, and sense of patriotism. These tattoos include significant religious symbols. His bicep has the Latin phrase “Deus Vult,” which means “God wills it” and has been associated with the First Crusade.
A cross and a sword are also tattooed on him; this is his own personal interpretation of Matthew 10:34, which says, “not peace, but a sword.”
Hegseth asserts that the Jerusalem cross, another famous tattoo that has its roots in the Crusades, had an impact on his release from National Guard duty for President Joe Biden’s inauguration in 2021.
Things to Consider
That particular statement has long been linked to violent religious campaigns that were carried out decades ago, and both tattoos have been extensively denounced by those who view them as anti-Muslim symbols.
By referring to one of the patterns at the time as a Jerusalem Cross, Hegseth has emphasized the tattoo’s significance as a symbol of his Christian beliefs.
As condemnation builds, Secretary Hegseth has not yet officially responded to the recently disclosed images or the reaffirmed claims.
