Egypt Daily News – What does the tattoo of “Kafir” on the arm of U.S. Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth mean? U.S. Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth stirred controversy after revealing a tattoo on his right forearm that no one had noticed before, which features the word “Kafir” in Arabic. Hegseth’s tattoo first appeared on Wednesday during a visit to the Pearl Harbor-Hickam Joint Base in Hawaii.
The official Twitter account of the U.S. Secretary of Defense posted pictures of him interacting with soldiers, prompting many social media users to point out the tattoo, leading to accusations of Islamophobia.
According to Newsweek, Hegseth identifies as a Christian and has frequently expressed his faith publicly. His religious beliefs are central to both his personal and professional identity, as evidenced by his collection of tattoos, which he describes as extensions of his faith, patriotism, and worldview.
His tattoos include many religious symbols: the tattoo “Deus Vult” (God wills it) on his arm – a slogan from the First Crusade – a cross and sword symbolizing the biblical verse Matthew 10:34, which he interprets as “not peace, but a sword” – and a Jerusalem cross, which is also a Crusader-era symbol.
What does the term “Kafir” mean?
Hegseth’s new “Kafir” tattoo is placed under another inscription on his arm. In Arabic, the term historically refers to someone who does not believe in Islam.
The term “Kafir” is derived from the root “Kafr,” which means “to conceal” or “to hide,” implying that a Kafir acknowledges the truth of Islam but chooses to reject or hide it.
Mustafa Akyol, a writer and fellow at the Cato Institute, explained in an article published in 2019: “Kafirs are seen as the worst enemies of Islam and Muslims.”
The tattoo, which is believed to have been done in early 2024, has sparked criticism from advocacy groups and American Muslim civil rights organizations, who view the use of the word “Kafir” by a senior official in this context as indicating an antagonistic stance toward Islam. “Anti-Muslim sentiment”
Nihad Awad, the National Executive Director of the Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR), the largest civil rights organization advocating for Muslims in the U.S., told Newsweek: “Having the word ‘Kafir’ – referring to one who deliberately denies or hides fundamental divine truths – tattooed on his body is an expression of hostility against Muslims and a lack of personal security.”
He added: “The Secretary has the right to tattoo whatever he wants on his body, but he should keep in mind that he leads the U.S. military, which includes thousands of American Muslims, and he swore to defend the American people, which includes millions of American Muslims.” Palestinian-American activist Nadeen Kiswani posted on X (formerly Twitter): “This is not just a personal choice; it’s a clear symbol of Islamophobia from the man overseeing U.S. wars.”
She added: “The word ‘Kafir’ has been weaponized by far-right ideologues, and now it’s on the arm of someone with access to the Pentagon.”
Online war over the word “Kafir” Over the past two decades, a wide range of groups and individuals have adopted the term “Kafir,” each giving it different connotations.
At the same time, the term has acquired a different meaning among some U.S. soldiers and veterans who served in the War on Terror, especially those deployed to Afghanistan and Iraq in the early 21st century. It has evolved into a symbol of defiance or personal identity, according to military forums reviewed by Newsweek.
