Tulsi Gabbard, Director of National Intelligence
National Counterterrorism Center
Joe Kent, Director of the National Counterterrorism Center

Dear Director Gabbard and Director Kent,

President Trump needs to designate Hizb ut-Tahrir (HT) as a terrorist organization so its speakers like Jordanian Islamist Mohammad Malkawi cannot spread their hate in the United States.

After identifying Israel and Jews as “cursed,” Jordanian Hizb ut-Tahrir activist Mohammad Malkawi, calls for jihad, right on American soil.

Hizb ut-Tahrir (HT) is not designated a terrorist entity in America, but it should be.

The group advocates for a global Islamic caliphate, and inspires violence.

According to the Program on Extremism at George Washington University, HT is “an antisemitic organization that actively promotes and encourages terrorism, including praising and celebrating the appalling 7 October attacks.” It also “justifies and encourages violence and terrorism from other Islamist groups, particularly in areas it considers occupied by outside forces, e.g., Palestine and Kashmir.” So although it is widely stated that the group doesn’t preach violence, it does, just not in quite the same way as groups such as ISIS and Al-Qaeda.

HT is banned in many EU countries, as well as in the UK and in many countries in Asia and across the Middle East. It’s about time the group were outlawed in America. Too many Islamic hate preachers are allowed to run rampant as they spread their caliphate ideology and endeavor to destroy the American way of life.

“Chicago Sermon By Jordanian Islamist Mohammad Malkawi: Muslims Allowed Al-Aqsa Mosque To Be Occupied By The Jews, The Most Cursed People In The Quran, Who Work Against Allah; Oh Allah, Establish The Caliphate, In Which The Banner Of Jihad Will Be Raised,” MEMRI, January 16, 2026:

Jordanian Hizb ut-Tahrir activist Dr. Mohammad Malkawi, also known as “Abu Talha,” said in his January 16, 2026 Friday sermon at the Noon Islamic Center (NIC) in Chicago, Illinois, that the entire Muslim nation has allowed the Al-Aqsa Mosque to be occupied by the Jewish state. He stated that it is now under the control of those “who were most cursed in the Quran,” people whom the prophets will curse for working against Allah. Malkawi prayed for the establishment of the Caliphate, in which the banner of Jihad for the sake of Allah will be raised.

President Trump needs to designate Hizb ut-Tahrir (HT) as a terrorist organization so its speakers like Jordanian Islamist Mohammad Malkawi cannot spread their hate in the United States.

Thank you for your service to our country and the safety of Americans.