Pentagon chief's controversial tattoo fuels islamophobia debate
The U.S. Secretary of Defense, Pete Hegseth has caused an international stir with a tattoo on his forearm. Following the scandal involving the disclosure of attack plans on Yemen, the Pentagon chief has faced criticism due to a word tattooed on his arm. Some have described it as a "symbol of Islamophobia."
What you need to know
- Pete Hegseth's tattoo: The U.S. Secretary of Defense has the Arabic word "kafir," meaning "infidel," tattooed on his forearm.
- International reactions: The discovery of the tattoo has led to controversy and accusations of Islamophobia.
- Additional symbols: Hegseth also sports other religious tattoos that reference the Crusades.
Why does Pete Hegseth's tattoo spark controversy?
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."
In Islam, "kafir" means "infidel" and holds deep significance. Mustafa Akyol from the Cato Institute explains that a "kafir" is someone who recognises the truth of Islam but rejects it.
Tattoo on the Pentagon chief's forearm: "Clear symbol of Islamophobia"
The tattoo has sparked a wave of criticism. Palestinian-American activist Nerdeen Kiswani wrote on platform X that it is a "clear symbol of Islamophobia". Kiswani emphasises that "kafir" has previously been used by the far-right.
As noted by the Counter Extremism Project, the term "kafir" has a complex history and has been used by extremist groups and American veterans as a symbol of resistance.
Another of Pete Hegseth's tattoos reads "Deus Vult," meaning "God wills it." This phrase is recognised as a rallying cry of the First Crusade.
First the Signal scandal, now the tattoo issue: Pentagon chief under fire
Tattoos aren't the only controversy associated with Hegseth. The Secretary of Defense is also under scrutiny due to the Signal messenger scandal. This involves the leak of U.S. attack plans in Yemen. Jeffrey Goldberg, editor-in-chief of "The Atlantic," revealed that by joining the "Houthi PC small group" chat, he had access to classified information regarding military operations.
Source: WP/X/"Fakt"
