Radical Muslim leader convicted of recruiting ISIS supporters

January 27, 2023

A radical Islamic cleric was convicted of recruiting and providing support for ISIS, Manhattan District Attorney Alvin Bragg announced on Thursday.

Shaikh Abdullah Faisal, 59, an Islamic State recruiter and marriage broker was found guilty of “far reaching crimes” of terrorism following New York state’s first ever terrorism trial, according to the DA’s office.

Faisal, a Jamaica native who prosecutors described as “one of the most influential English speaking terrorists of our times,” preached violent jihad and pushed for ISIS recruitment on his social media platforms and tried to inspire others to commit acts of terror themselves in ISIS’ name.

He additionally provided instructions on how potential fighters could best travel to Syria and Iraq undetected and worked as a matchmaker for women looking to get hitched to Islamic militants.

Faisal was arrested in Jamaica in 2017 and then extradited to New York City . . . Faisal was previously convicted in the United Kingdom in 2003 for inciting murder and using racially charged, hateful rhetoric to support terrorist ideologies. He influenced numerous terrorists, some who succeeded in their plots and murdered innocent citizens.

He was found guilty on all five counts he was charged with, including conspiracy as a crime of terrorism and soliciting or providing support for an act of terrorism. The charges carry potential sentences ranging from seven to 25 years in prison. He is scheduled to be sentenced on February 9, the DA’s office said. 25 years in whichever Supermax unit serves New York should keep him out of mischief.