Pentagon chief's controversial tattoo sparks global backlash
Pete Hegseth, the U.S. Secretary of Defense, has incited international controversy with a tattoo on his forearm. Following the scandal involving the leak of attack plans on Yemen, the Pentagon chief has been criticized for having a word on his tattoo that some claim symbolizes "Islamophobia."
What you need to know
- Pete Hegseth's Tattoo: The U.S. Secretary of Defense has the Arabic word "kafir," which translates to "infidel," tattooed on his forearm.
- International Reactions: The tattoo has sparked controversy and accusations of Islamophobia.
- Additional Symbols: Hegseth also has other religious tattoos referencing the Crusades.
Why is Pete Hegseth's tattoo controversial?
During a visit to the Pearl Harbor military base in Hawaii, photos published on the official X account revealed Pete Hegseth's tattoo with the Arabic word "kafir."
The term in Islam means "infidel" and carries significant weight. Mustafa Akyol from the Cato Institute explains that a "kafir" is someone who acknowledges the truth of Islam but rejects it.
Tattoo on Pentagon chief's forearm: "Clear symbol of Islamophobia"
The tattoo has sparked widespread criticism. Palestinian-American activist Nerdeen Kiswani posted on platform X, calling it a "clear symbol of Islamophobia". Kiswani points out that the term "kafir" has been used by far-right groups before.
According to the Counter Extremism Project, "kafir" has a complicated history and has been adopted by extremist groups and American veterans as a symbol of defiance.
Another of Pete Hegseth's tattoos reads "Deus Vult," meaning "God Wills It." This phrase is known as a rallying cry from the First Crusade.
First the signal scandal, now the tattoo issue: Pentagon chief under fire
Tattoos aren't the sole issue surrounding Hegseth. The Secretary of Defense is also under scrutiny due to the Signal messenger scandal, which involves the leak of U.S. attack plans in Yemen. Jeffrey Goldberg, editor-in-chief of "The Atlantic," disclosed that by joining the "Houthi PC small group" chat, he gained access to classified military operation details.
Source: WP/X/"Fakt"
