Congressman Mark Alford, who represents Missouri’s 4th district in the U.S. House of Representatives, has called for a federal investigation into the rise of antisemitism in the United States and potential links between domestic Islamic institutions and foreign terrorist organizations.
In a letter sent on November 21, 2025 to Attorney General Pam Bondi and FBI Director Kash Patel, Alford referenced recent events including a sermon delivered at the Islamic Center of Kansas by Muhammad Tarife. During this sermon, Tarife advocated violence against Jews and Zionists.
Alford wrote: “I write to express deep concern over the alarming rise in antisemitism across the United States since the October 7, 2023 terrorist attacks by Hamas. What began as a tragic act of terror abroad has since metastasized into an unacceptable wave of antisemitic hatred, intimidation, and violence here at home.
“Of particular concern are recent statements made during religious services and public gatherings that glorify terrorism and call for violence against Jews. On October 31, 2025, during a Friday sermon at the Islamic Center of Kansas (Olathe, KS), Muhammad Tarife proclaimed that ‘Gaza has begun a new page of Jihad and sacrifice,’ and prayed for Allah to ‘destroy the criminal Zionists… kill them one by one, do not spare a single one of them.’ Statements like these, publicly broadcast online, are not isolated incidents, they contribute to a growing climate of radicalization and pose a direct threat to Jewish Americans and national security.”
He continued: “This sermon follows a disturbing pattern of domestic actors amplifying or aligning with foreign terrorist narratives. Organizations and individuals within the United States have publicly expressed support for Hamas and other designated Foreign Terrorist Organizations (FTOs), raising serious concerns about potential financial or ideological coordination between foreign and domestic extremists.”
Alford asked federal authorities to investigate whether people or organizations in the U.S. are receiving funding or support from foreign terrorist groups or acting as channels for extremist propaganda.
He requested answers to several questions:
– Are there ongoing investigations into U.S.-based organizations or religious institutions disseminating content that aligns with or promotes FTO messaging?
– What mechanisms exist to monitor individuals within the U.S. who publicly express support for FTOs or advocate violence against Jewish communities under the guise of religious or political expression?
– Will your agencies commit to providing Congress with a detailed briefing on current threats, investigative coordination, and enforcement gaps related to antisemitic extremism and foreign influence operations?
“The sharp rise in antisemitic incidents since October 7 underscores the need for vigilance and accountability. Freedom of speech and religion must never serve as a shield for incitement to violence or foreign-directed hate. I urge your immediate attention to these matters and stand ready to support your efforts to ensure the safety of Jewish Americans and the integrity of our national security,” Alford concluded.
Mark Alford began representing Missouri’s 4th district in Congress after replacing Vicky Hartzler in 2023 (https://www.house.gov/representative/alford). He was born in Baytown, Texas in 1963 before moving to Lake Winnebago where he currently resides. Alford earned his BA from the University of Texas at Austin in 1988.
