Beyond Radicalization: A Brother's Perspective

On New Year's Day, Bourbon Street in New Orleans witnessed a tragic event when a car rammed into revelers, killing 15 people. The man behind the wheel was Shamsud-Din Jabbar, a U. S. military veteran with a complex past. His brother, Abdur Jabbar, speaks out, emphasizing that radicalization, not religion, led to Shamsud-Din's actions. Abdur remembers his brother as a kind, intelligent, and caring individual who converted to Islam early in life. Before the attack, Shamsud-Din posted videos on Facebook, declaring loyalty to ISIS and confessing plans to harm his family. Tragically, Shamsud-Din's journey took him from military service to a troubled life in a Houston trailer park. Authorities believe he didn't act alone in the deadly assault, which involved an ISIS flag displayed on a rented vehicle.