How Some Islamist Supporters Are Reacting to the Ferguson Unrest

Following the eruption of violence in Ferguson, Missouri, some apparent supporters of Middle East Islamists added their voice to the debate, accusing the U.S. of being a “fake” democracy, likening the U.S. to a terrorist group, and calling for Shariah law to be implemented in the U.S.

It all came as a result of the no indictment of police officer Darren Wilson in the August shooting death of 18-year-old Michael Brown.

Journalist Jenan Moussa with the Dubai-based Al Aan television first reported Tuesday morning that supporters of the Islamic State group and others were actively commenting on the Ferguson developments using Arabic hashtags which translate to “America burning” and “America collapsing.”

ISIS Arab fans are following events in #Ferguson, tweeting under 2 hashtags: America burning/ America collapsing #امريكا_تشتعل #امريكا_تنهار

— Jenan Moussa (@jenanmoussa) November 25, 2014

The vast majority posted their thoughts in Arabic, but some posted in English.

Solution4USA is shariah law, NO2menmade laws and racist judges/jury.#امريكا_تشتعل #امريكا_تنهار#FergusonDecision

— Maghreb Witness (@Maghreb_Witness)

November 25, 2014

We Arabs and Muslims send out full support to our black brothers and sisters in USA. #Ferguson# امريكا_تشتعل #امريكا_تنهار#FergusonDecision

— Maghreb Witness (@Maghreb_Witness) November 25, 2014

One Twitter user took the opportunity to criticize the U.S. military’s use of drones in pursuit of terrorism suspects.

#Ferguson Don't be cowards and attack us with drones. Instead send your soldies,the ones we humiliated in iraq God willing. #امريكا_تنهار

— ابو المهدي (@PasarwPasa)

November 25, 2014

The same user also called for the flag of Allah to be raised at the White House:

And we will rais the flag of ALLAH in the white house..!! ALLAH willing. @HowToFlorist @joshua07x @ibcreepinalldae

— ابو المهدي (@PasarwPasa) November 25, 2014

This photo montage was added to the Twitter conversation accompanied by the Arabic headline “America collapsing.”

#Ferguson #Obama#امريكا_تنهار pic.twitter.com/F8zc9OhMHz

— ابوخالد الشمري#خلافة (@abo0khaled79) November 25, 2014

Reporter Moussa’s tweet about the existence of the Arabic hashtags on the Ferguson strife also elicited responses, including these:

@jenanmoussa ah the whiny chant of the universal brotherhood of perpetual victims.

— Mazakry (@mazakry) November 25, 2014

@jenanmoussa yea and the Middle East is a bastion of peace and tranquility #deludedpeople

— 4 Men Had a DREAM (@WeKnowHeKnew) November 25, 2014