US Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth is facing backlash after revealing a controversial Arabic tattoo that reads “Kaafir.” The term, which translates to “nonbeliever” or “infidel,” has been widely condemned as a symbol of anti-Muslim sentiment. Muslim leaders have expressed concerns that the word is often used by bigots to mock and provoke the Muslim community.
The tattoo was shared publicly in photos on Wednesday, triggering widespread online debate.
The Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR), the largest Muslim civil rights group in the United States, issued a statement Thursday, condemning the tattoo as a symbol of “anti-Muslim hostility and personal insecurity.” CAIR National Executive Director Nihad Awad noted, “It appears Islam occupies so much space in Pete Hegseth’s mind that he feels compelled to permanently mark himself with a symbol of his disdain for Islam, alongside a reference to the Crusaders—a group responsible for violent acts against Jews, Muslims, and even Christians centuries ago.”
Palestinian-American activist and founder of the pro-Palestinian group Within Our Lifetime, Nerdeen Kiswani, also weighed in, calling the tattoo a “clear symbol of Islamophobia” from a man who is responsible for overseeing US military operations abroad.
The controversy intensified on social media, where many criticized Hegseth for choosing a tattoo that could be offensive to Muslims, especially given the diversity of faiths within the US military. There are an estimated 5,000 to 6,000 Muslim service members in the armed forces.
Neither the Pentagon nor the White House provided an immediate response to requests for comment on the issue.
Hegseth has faced previous criticism for his tattoos, including a 2021 incident where he was removed from his National Guard unit’s assignment during President Joe Biden’s inauguration. This followed a report from a fellow service member regarding Hegseth’s “Deus Vult” tattoo after the January 6 Capitol attack by Trump supporters.
