FBI probes Shamsud-Din Jabbar's unexplained trips to Egypt and Canada

In the United States, specifically in New Orleans, the FBI is investigating Shamsud-Din Jabbar, who became a terrorism suspect after a horrific attack on New Year’s Day 2024, where he drove his truck into a crowd, killing 14 and injuring many others. Jabbar’s violent act has prompted inquiries into his past, particularly focusing on his travels to Egypt and Canada earlier in 2023, where law enforcement is investigating potential influences and radical connections that may have led him to carry out the attack. Upon reviewing his background, it has been uncovered that Jabbar had a troubling personal life, including three marriages, with his most recent divorce being notably contentious, involving threats to his ex-wife. His move to a predominantly Muslim neighborhood in Houston coincided with increasing signs of religious interest, albeit his family noticed little indication of extremist tendencies until recent months. The investigation revealed that Jabbar had recorded his intentions and views on various topics related to Islam and extremism, culminating in a video in which he made a formal declaration of loyalty to ISIS. He was found to have an ISIS flag and various weapons in his possession during the attack, and local mosques stated they were unfamiliar with him. Canadian authorities are collaborating with American law enforcement, as they also aim to understand his movements and potential contacts in their country. The Islamic Society of Greater Houston expressed their condemnation of extremist activities, emphasizing their commitment to a zero-tolerance policy against violence and radicalism. The incident has highlighted the complexities of radicalization and the often-hidden signs in an individual's behavior that might precede such violent outbursts, raising concerns about both community safety and the effectiveness of measures to identify and prevent extremism.