Crime

Iraqi Poet in St. Louis Allegedly Had Star of David Carved Into His Back During Attack

Alleged Hate Crime: Iraqi Poet Has Star of David Carved in Back for Supporting Israel

One Iraqi immigrant living in St. Louis, Missouri might have learned the hard way what happens to Muslims who publicly support Israel and the Jewish people, when he allegedly suffered a heinous attack in August — where, in addition to being stabbed and held at gunpoint, assailants carved a Star of David into his back.

Alaa Alsaegh, a writer whose Arabic language poem, “Tears at the Heart of the Holocaust,” was featured on Nonie Darwish’s website, ArabsForIsrael.com, reported the incident to local authorities and was later taken to a hospital where his wounds were photographed. The Egyptian-born Darwish is a former Muslim who converted to Christianity and has been one of the most prominent and outspoken critics of Islam since the September 11 attacks.

According to Darwish’s article in FrontPage Magazine on Wednesday, Alsaegh‘s poem expressed the author’s affinity for Israel, the Jewish people and his mourning over the grim fate of the six million Jews who perished in the Holocaust.

Such sentiments purportedly did not sit well with certain members of St. Louis’ Islamic community, however, prompting a string of alleged threats directed at Alsaegh in which the poet was smeared an infidel and a traitor to Islam.

But despite being accused of apostasy, the young man continued writing his poems — that is until the morning of August 14 when Alsaegh was reportedly attacked.

FrontPage provides an account of the incident:

According to Mr. Alsaegh, as he was driving at 10:30 in the morning on Compton St. near Park Ave., a small white car cut him off and hit his car, while another car stopped behind him. The occupants of the cars, some of whom wore security guard-type uniforms, quickly entered Alsaegh’s car, pointing a gun at him. They pushed his upper body down against the steering wheel, stabbed him and pulled off his shirt to expose his back. Then, with a knife, they carved the Star of David on his back while laughing as they recited his pro-Jewish poem. Mr. Alsaegh believes that the attackers could be Somalis, but he was not sure. After the attackers fled the scene, Mr. Alsaegh was surrounded by witnesses to the crime and was taken to the hospital. The photo representing this story was taken at the hospital.

St. Louis Police confirm that officers responded to a call for help at approximately 10:45 a.m. on August 14 and Both Dariwsh’s article and a report from local KMOV state that the FBI has become involved in the investigation — though the agency has not yet made any official statements pertaining to the incident, nor has it labeled it a “hate crime.”

Thus far, no arrests have been made.

Below is an interview with Alsaegh and his father. The video captures the outline of the Star of David, still visible on Alsaegh’s back over a month after the incident took place:

Comments (124)

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  • Doug in Seattle
    Posted on September 28, 2011 at 7:36pm

    There are crimes and there is hate. Hate has been known to lead to crime, but there is no such thing as a hate crime. What we a are talking about here is Thought Crime!

    Hate is Thought – Not Action.

    Only the left deems it legitimate to enact laws that criminalize thought. They also want to extend that to crimes against free speech.

    Report Post » Doug in Seattle  
    • ChiefGeorge
      Posted on September 28, 2011 at 7:50pm

      When monsters are allowed to roam freely among the civilized people this is what you’ll find. Folks we know who the domestic monsters are and the foreign ones. If you want to remain a free people then you’ll need to deal harsely with this reality. Strict sentences, tough jail time, no early outs. I have to add this as some might misconstrue my meaning.

      Report Post » ChiefGeorge  
    • Uranium Wedge
      Posted on September 28, 2011 at 9:18pm

      Amen Brother!!!

      Report Post » Uranium Wedge  
    • The-Monk
      Posted on September 28, 2011 at 9:43pm

      So where are all those traffic cams, security cams on buildings and everywhere else when you need them? I’ll bet that a traffic cam caught the whole thing and sent a “red light running” ticket to someone who witnessed the whole event and fled the sceen in fear.

      Report Post » The-Monk  
    • banjarmon
      Posted on September 28, 2011 at 11:09pm

      9-11 was my teacher about islam and the muslims who practic it!!!!

      Report Post » banjarmon  
    • ScreaminEagle
      Posted on September 29, 2011 at 10:20am

      Let’ see if Professor Bill O’Reilly reports anything on this (now that it’s been broke on “The Blaze”) and who get’s credit for breaking it.

      Report Post » ScreaminEagle  
  • proantisocialist
    Posted on September 28, 2011 at 7:32pm

    LiberalMarine, maybe you should study your marine history a little more and find out who you stand with and who would spit in you face if they had a chance….

    Report Post » proantisocialist  
  • igetit
    Posted on September 28, 2011 at 7:32pm

    Publish the poem please

    Report Post »  
  • OldVietVet
    Posted on September 28, 2011 at 7:11pm

    Assault and battery, attempted murder, hit and run, hate crime–where are the cops???

    Report Post » OldVietVet  
    • Servant Of YHVH
      Posted on September 28, 2011 at 7:39pm

      Well seeing the way that obama, holder and the rest of the muslims running the White House and the country. I would be willing to be that if the criminals walked up to them and admitted that they did it, I figure that they would be told: Good job, now go home and celebrate what you did, and know that we are celebrating with you. (I,m figuring that is what obama and holder would tell them. If the regular police arrest them, I figure that they would be suspended or fired and the thugs would get sent home anyways. This is the obamanation abomination nation, at least until 2012 if we can get the right people to 1, impeach him, 2. charge him with running for president as a non-natural born citizen, for treason and numerous other charges. 3. Throw him in prison for the rest of his unatural life.

      Report Post » Servant Of YHVH  
    • Faith1029
      Posted on September 30, 2011 at 1:12pm

      Where is the Media? Where is the outcry? As Glenn Beck said, if this were the KKK and they did the same thing, there would be a huge uprising and would be all over the news. Why are these people not covering anything Muslim?

      Report Post »  
  • Constructionist
    Posted on September 28, 2011 at 7:10pm

    If getting a religious symbol carved into your back does not qualify as a hate crime, what does?… I mean, for those of us who are not part of the Justice Department‘s ’favored’ race.

    Report Post » Constructionist  
    • kindling
      Posted on September 28, 2011 at 8:44pm

      OOH….I like that the Justice Department‘s ’favored’ race. I take it the attackers were a “my race” kind of people and because the WH has opened the doors to so many of these favored people lately I believe we are going to see LOTS more attacks.

      Report Post » kindling  
  • kickagrandma
    Posted on September 28, 2011 at 7:04pm

    b.s. or B.S.

    Report Post »  
  • TH30PH1LUS
    Posted on September 28, 2011 at 7:00pm

    ROSE-ELLEN, your friends don’t like poetry very much.

    Report Post » TH30PH1LUS  
  • LANE131
    Posted on September 28, 2011 at 6:47pm

    A car cuts him off, and another car in back, men then take him out with guns for their attack….
    I wrote it before, the U.S.A it sinking into a third world county.
    This is something i would expect to read happening in the middle east, africa, mexico, south america ect. but in the USA???

    Report Post »  
    • loriann12
      Posted on September 29, 2011 at 7:31am

      I was in the Navy in the 80‘s when my hometown had it’s first drive by shooting. It‘s not just the foreigners coming in that’s making our country a 3rd world country. It’s also the taker mentality and the belief that government owes everyone a living. If the freebies run out, they’ll just take them from someone else.

      Report Post »  
  • randy
    Posted on September 28, 2011 at 6:20pm

    @CHET HEMPSTEAD
    Now why doesn’t it surprise me that the the Living through history comment flew right over your head?
    Duh? Anyone with half a brain knew exactly what I meant.

    Report Post » randy  
    • LiberalMarine
      Posted on September 28, 2011 at 6:28pm

      I don’t think you are or ever were a green one eyed alien.

      Report Post » LiberalMarine  
    • Chet Hempstead
      Posted on September 29, 2011 at 12:28am

      No, I understood exactly what you meant, but I’m not sure you’re right. A lot of history is kind of boring. I suspect that in fifty years Israel will still be (more or less) where it is, Arabs will still hate them but not be able to do anything about it, and America will still have a government following the forms set up by the Constitution but with power more centralized in the national government, some people will still hate that, while others will still see it as a necessary evil in a bigger country with a bigger population and a bigger economy than the founders had to deal with.

      Report Post »  
  • Evil_Conservative
    Posted on September 28, 2011 at 6:12pm

    Islam, a religion of peace spread through conquest.

    All they understand is the language of violence.

    Muslims hate Israel so much because after the holocaust, the Jews learned to talk back.

    The time for speaking the Islamic language softly has passed.

    We will not be conquered.

    Report Post » Evil_Conservative  
    • ChiefGeorge
      Posted on September 28, 2011 at 7:53pm

      The Jews also are a reminder of how racist Arabs are and how failed their socialist systems are. Israel is free and blooms with prosperity all outside the laws of Islam. How can Allah allow such a thing when Arab nations mostly live in poverty? Doesn’t make sense does it. It does if you understand the Holy Bible.

      Report Post » ChiefGeorge  
  • RRFlyer
    Posted on September 28, 2011 at 6:06pm

    Why does The Blaze love to use the word Alleged so much? It’s in every other headline.

    Report Post »  
    • Hobbs57
      Posted on September 28, 2011 at 6:28pm

      Because you have too, what else could you say ?

      Report Post » Hobbs57  
    • ThorLoser
      Posted on September 28, 2011 at 8:28pm

      I agree. That is “definitely” the star of david carved into his back… nothing alleged about it. He may “allegedly” be the victim of a crime, but that is most certainly carved in there.

      Are people now going to be “allegedly” dead when they are the victims of murder or are they “definitely” dead and allegedly the victim of murder?

      Report Post »  
    • Aviyah
      Posted on September 29, 2011 at 11:10am

      Why does the Blaze use the term “alleged” so much?

      Because it’s what legitimate news agencies do before a case has been definitively proven. With the state of things in today’s media, I completely understand why this would be a foreign concept to some.

      Report Post » Aviyah  
  • TRUK62
    Posted on September 28, 2011 at 6:03pm

    Those evil monsters of the cult of muhammed marked this poor man but they only succeeded in making him easier for Christ to identify when the end of times come. The evil cult members that did this will surely feel the rath of the one true God for what they have done unless the follow the example of the man that they did this to.

    Report Post » TRUK62  
    • wallyworld
      Posted on September 28, 2011 at 8:43pm

      “Not everyone who says to me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ will enter the kingdom of heaven, but only the one who does the will of my Father who is in heaven. Many will say to me on that day, ‘Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy in your name and in your name drive out demons and in your name perform many miracles?’ Then I will tell them plainly, ‘I never knew you. Away from me, you evildoers!’” Matthew 7:21-23

      Despite this man’s civility and common sense, his scars alone will not help him when Christ returns. Nor will our scars alone help us.

      Report Post »  
  • obamasacommie
    Posted on September 28, 2011 at 6:01pm

    He said he thought they were Somalian did’nt dear leader allow 18,000 of these little boy lovin, people of peace to legally enter our great nation per year? Maybe it was so he would have his civilian police force he spoke of, i think this is their justice.

    Report Post » obamasacommie  
  • Junter
    Posted on September 28, 2011 at 5:51pm

    Let me gaze into my crystal ball… the future is becoming clearer.. clearer.. crystal clear. The FBI/Homeland security will release a statement that implies it was white racists with possible tea party affiliation. The attackers will later be identified as Muslim or this will turn out to be another hoax to gain sympathy. The FBI will not retract the fore mentioned statement and will instead double their efforts to find these “white racists”.

    Report Post »  
  • Smokey_Bojangles
    Posted on September 28, 2011 at 5:40pm

    Religion of Peace strikes again! Rezwan Ferdaus now this.If they get anymore peaceful we are all In trouble!

    Report Post » Smokey_Bojangles  
  • randy
    Posted on September 28, 2011 at 5:39pm

    Good thing I don’t live in St. Louis and I didn’t see this happening.
    Only takes a few seconds to unload a 9mm magazine.
    We are living through history folks. Choose a side.
    I stand and will fight for our Constitution and Israel.

    Report Post » randy  
    • LiberalMarine
      Posted on September 28, 2011 at 5:48pm

      Yeah, but can you hit anything?

      Report Post » LiberalMarine  
    • Chet Hempstead
      Posted on September 28, 2011 at 5:52pm

      We’re always living through history. That’s like saying that we’re living on geography.

      Report Post »  
    • Meyvn
      Posted on September 28, 2011 at 6:03pm

      This Christian is tired of turning the other cheek… and won’t anymore.

      Report Post » Meyvn  
    • Elena2010
      Posted on September 28, 2011 at 6:11pm

      Turning the other cheek was a way to return the insult back to the originator. It did not mean to be slapped around until dead. It was idiomatic to the day and language that Jesus spoke.

      If Randy can’t hit it, I can. We used to say on the firing line at MCRD PISC that some bad shots were needed to keep the bad guys’ heads down so the good shots could work them off one at a time :-)

      Report Post » Elena2010  
    • randy
      Posted on September 28, 2011 at 6:18pm

      @LIBERALMARINE
      I wouldn‘t bet my life on it that I couldn’t :)
      And personally, I’ve seen enough of your posts on the Blaze to know that…
      #1…. I don’t believe you are or ever were a Marine.
      And
      #2…. I could give a rats A$$ what you have to say.
      #3…. I won’t waste any more of my time commenting or ever replying again to anything you have to say……… Liberalism is a mental disorder.

      Report Post » randy  
    • drago
      Posted on September 28, 2011 at 6:55pm

      @liberalmarine
      You said, ” Yeah, but can you hit anything”. I can, and you can try me, anytime you like!

      Report Post »  
    • drago
      Posted on September 28, 2011 at 6:57pm

      @Randy
      liberalmarine, is none other than encinom….

      Report Post »  
    • proantisocialist
      Posted on September 28, 2011 at 7:29pm

      if you own a gun and cant hit anything, you shouldnt own a gun,right LiberalMarine?

      and it truly amazes me that a marine could stand with those who would spit in your face and call you baby murderer…i know first hand my cousin was in vietnam and was spit upon by the same people you stand with SIR!

      Report Post » proantisocialist  
    • Gnostyk
      Posted on September 29, 2011 at 4:04am

      LIBERALMARINE, if you’re actually a marine, then, I’m the 13th Imam. I think you’re a troll, masquerading as a patriot warrior. Prove me wrong by posting something that doesn’t insult solid patriots like Randy and other similar posters. Let me tell you: It’s the conservatives who can hit what they aim at. I can hit what I aim at. It’s the libs who are prone to shoot themselves in the foot. The libs want security guards and police to be the only ones carrying guns, so they can be free from concern with defending themselves. The police cannot be everywhere. If a woman were assaulted on a street, she could dial 911, or she could whip out a pistol, and put a couple of 9mm hollowpoints into the groin of the assailant. That would usually abort any rape attempt. You’re a phony, LIBERALMARINE. And, I feell the need to call you out.

      Report Post » Gnostyk  
    • Vandal956
      Posted on September 29, 2011 at 11:54am

      Judging by the pic, this little POG has 2 given medals and is straight out of bootcamp with no deployments or knowledge. I am a 10th yr staff sergeant who was in Fallujah and can

      Report Post »  
    • Vandal956
      Posted on September 29, 2011 at 11:56am

      Judging by the pic, this little POG has 2 given medals and is straight out of bootcamp with no deployments or knowledge. I am a 10 yr staff sergeant who was in Fallujah and can tell this kid will grow up once he spends some time reading and learns. Hey liberal boot, do an MCI

      Report Post »  
  • momroots
    Posted on September 28, 2011 at 5:38pm

    Why was this not charged as a hate crime???

    Report Post »  
    • TRUK62
      Posted on September 28, 2011 at 6:00pm

      You have to be a white perpetrator for a hate crime to be charged. Our stupid legal system is afraid of the criminals of color that might get upset if one of their own is labeled a hater. Did you not know that only white people have the capability to hate, be racist and commit crimes? Even though whites account for a minor percentage of inter racial crime they get all the blame. People of color make up over 80% of crimes against other racial groups. But they are just acting out for all of the oppression that they endure from us white folks so we have to understand and start caring more about these poor people. They will tell you that themselves! It’s all a really sick confidence game that is being played out but our elected leaders are too stupid to do what needs to be done to stop it. It really is an irony….. Black people gravitate to Islam because it is a historically non-white cult but Islamic slave traders were the primary suppliers of slaves back in those times. And of all ethnic groups on the planet today it is Arab Muslims that still practice slavery and call black muslims, “those pug nosed slaves” But they choose to hate us white folks for what a bunch of ******** did back before our great great grandparents were born. Instead of trying to get along now the minorities are the most racist and criminal of all. Sick and sad.

      Report Post » TRUK62  
  • ShamanWorld
    Posted on September 28, 2011 at 5:36pm

    How sick…But don’t believe that these stories the Blaze feed us are the only “news” going on in the thousands of cities across the USA. Remember, the media only tells us what the “moguls” want us to hear. Anything that makes Muslims look bad is their tactic it appears. No religion is perfect, and Jews are just as strict as the Muslims, and the Orthodox Jews are just as extreme as the SHARIA compliant Muslims…Why don’t they mention that fact on Fox News? google: Kiryas Joel .These people get welfare and PUBLIC funded everything in NY state for a WHOLE TOWN. Would Muslims or even Christians be able to get away with that?/

    Report Post » ShamanWorld  
  • Eric
    Posted on September 28, 2011 at 5:35pm

    For the first time in my life, I feel disgusted at my country and my fellow Americans for becoming the cowards that they are today.

    Why are my fellow Christians such cowards when it comes to defending our beliefs and our fellow countrymen?

    Why do you bow to the hands of the pathetic liberals, atheists, homosexuals and muslims?

    I’m ashamed of being White today, too. The whole “White-guilt” phenomenon today boggles my mind. Us Anglo-Christians created the mightiest empire the world has ever known; we’ve elevated more people from the lowest castes of society than any other nation in the history of man. Why have my people become such cowards?

    This poor Iraqi man’s back was carved into with a knife for his conversion to Christianity and his support and defense of Jews. Atrocious acts like this could be prevented if all of you “new-type Americans” wouldn’t be such pathetically weak imbeciles.

    I’m sure nothing will change from the attack on this man. People will still keep their mouthes shut when it comes to the Islamic destruction of the world. My descendants from Europe are rolling in their graves looking back at what their homelands have become. We Americans don’t have to go down the same road as Europe.

    Stand up and fight. Stop being the cowards you’ve let yourselves become. Open your eyes and fight.

    Report Post » Eric  
    • OneofMany
      Posted on September 28, 2011 at 5:47pm

      I’m with you Eric!

      Report Post » OneofMany  
    • progressiveslayer
      Posted on September 28, 2011 at 7:19pm

      You speak the truth about what has happened to America,we’ve become soft,if we lose our internet service or the cable goes out people freak out,it’s a shame but true.Our government is so corrupt and filled with progressives on both sides of the aisle,communists are patient,they started their assault on the constitution one hundred years ago and they believe their best chance to destroy America is now with their Marxist in chief.I believe we have enough patriots to defeat the enemies of the constitution and freedom will be defended.

      Report Post » progressiveslayer  
    • jackal
      Posted on September 28, 2011 at 9:08pm

      Wow!I guess we are all weak in the eyes of the Lord for being tolerant?Sir I am not going to be the one that cast the first stone for violence.I neither wish to hurt or kill my fellow man but do not let the other side push me in the defense of my family and myself.I would say I live in a state were guns may well out number the population by a 3/4 to 1 ratio.The people/Christians will fight but only as a last resort the other side will start it but like any other conflict the the righteous finish it.

      Report Post »  
  • Elia
    Posted on September 28, 2011 at 5:33pm

    Not surprising, these people are oppressed, their hatred is a requirement of their leaders and is not always their actual opinions. Anyone who speaks out… well you see what happened to this poor man. Common all over the Mid East, and I would not be surprised if it was common in Europe, Asia, and Africa as well. Its coming here.

    Report Post »  
  • splattypus
    Posted on September 28, 2011 at 5:33pm

    How heinous! And these people walk among us? In the nation’s heartland? Say…wasn’t the little guy selling flags outside that tea party gig, that little guy that got beat down by those union thugs…wasn’t HE in St Louis, too? Because that pretty much tells you what sort of justice this individual can expect in that locale if such is the case.

    Report Post » splattypus  
  • Brae
    Posted on September 28, 2011 at 5:32pm

    Capture these bums and hang them by their kahuna’s. This terrorism will not be tolerated in the US. My thoughts are with the victim and his family.

    Report Post » Brae  
    • Elena2010
      Posted on September 28, 2011 at 6:09pm

      That;’s cohones. Kahuna is an Hawaiian chief.

      Brother Alaa — you suffer in the Name of Jesus who loves you, the Jews and the brain damaged muslims who did this to you! Bear your scar w/the dignity of the numbers inked onto Holocaust survivors.

      Report Post » Elena2010  
    • chips1
      Posted on September 28, 2011 at 9:03pm

      Yeah!!!!!!! Hang him by his Hawaiian Chief.

      Report Post »  
  • blazingaway
    Posted on September 28, 2011 at 5:31pm

    more muslim love and tolerance … Allah Allah Allah Allah … Muhammad, probably the worse person to ever walk the face of the earth and open his dumb ass mouth.

    Report Post » blazingaway  
  • OneofMany
    Posted on September 28, 2011 at 5:30pm

    This guy is going to be showered with blessings!!! It might have sucked to have had it happen, but God DID notice it.

    Report Post » OneofMany  
    • Meyvn
      Posted on September 28, 2011 at 6:04pm

      Yes. He will carry that star into eternity with honor.

      Report Post » Meyvn  
    • Paul & Evelyn
      Posted on September 29, 2011 at 6:31am

      Amen, amen. Please do publish your poem.

      Report Post »  
    • ChevalierdeJohnstone
      Posted on September 29, 2011 at 12:14pm

      Apostate AND a Jew-lover. This guy must have titanium ****** the size of watermelons. What a fine, brave man and a courageous example to us all. That star is a badge of honor.

      Since he’s converted to Christianity, does that mean we can give him free beers for life?

      Report Post »  
  • 4XGrace
    Posted on September 28, 2011 at 5:27pm

    Islam! A religion of Peace???? BFS, I say. BFS!

    Report Post » 4XGrace  
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