Pentagon chief Hegseth’s Arabic tattoo sparks Islamophobia controversy
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Hegseth's tattoo has drawn criticism on social media, with some arguing it could be offensive to Muslims, particularly as the US military represents service members of diverse faiths.
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US Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth in a photo posted to the Secretary of Defense account on X.
US Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth has a tattoo that appears to read "infidel" or "non-believer" in Arabic, according to recently posted photos on his social media.
In images shared Tuesday on X, the former Fox News-host-turned-defense secretary was seen with what appears to be a tattoo of the Arabic word "kafir," an Arabic term that means an unbeliever. A similar tattoo was visible in a July 2024 Instagram post.
Hegseth's tattoo has drawn criticism on social media, with some arguing it could be offensive to Muslims, particularly as the US military represents service members of diverse faiths. Estimates suggest that between 5,000 and 6,000 Muslim personnel serve in the US military.
“This isn’t just a personal choice; it’s a clear symbol of Islamophobia from the man overseeing US wars,” wrote pro-Palestinian activist Nerdeen Kiswani, according to The Guardian.
She added, “‘Kafir’ has been weaponized by far-right Islamophobes to mock and vilify Muslims. It’s not about his personal beliefs. It’s about how these beliefs translate into policy – how they shape military decisions, surveillance programs, and foreign interventions targeting Muslim countries.”
A former leader of the far-right Proud Boys, Joe Biggs, also has a similar tattoo.
This is not the first time Hegseth has faced controversy over his tattoos. The defense secretary has previously displayed tattoos linked to "crusader aesthetics", a growing trend among far-right groups.
One such tattoo, located on his right biceps near the latest one, reads "Deus Vult"—Latin for "God Wills It"—a phrase associated with the Christian Crusades. He also has a Jerusalem cross tattoo, commonly referred to as the "Crusader’s cross" due to its historical ties to the Crusades.
