New Orleans Attacker Left Quran Verse Open at His Home. Here’s What it Says

A Quran was found open in the home of Shamsud-Din Jabbar, the suspect who drove a pickup truck into crowds of people on Bourbon Street in New Orleans, Louisiana, on New Year’s Day, according to exclusive photos obtained by the New York Post. Newsweek has contacted New Orleans Police Department and New Orleans FBI office via email for comment. Why It Matters The passage that the Quran was left open to was 9:111, a number which has chilling similarity to the date of the September 11, 2001, Al-Qaeda terrorist attack on the Twin Towers in New York City, which claimed nearly 3,000 lives. The passage could offer some insight into what Jabbar was thinking and what motivated him before he drove the pickup truck into civilians in the busy tourist spot, killing 14 and injuring about 30 others. Jabbar was fatally shot by police after a shootout with them. What To Know The Quran, the central religious text of Islam that is believed by Muslims to be the word of God as revealed to the Prophet Muhammad by the angel Gabriel over 23 years, was found in Jabbar’s living room, propped up on a bookshelf, as a centerpiece, according to the Post on Thursday. The passage that the Quran was left open to appears to speak about a Muslim’s responsibility to “slay” in order to be granted a place in paradise, describing this as a “bargain” made with Allah. The passage read: “Surely Allah has purchased of the believers their lives and their belongings and in return has promised that they shall have Paradise. They fight in the Way of Allah, and slay and are slain. Such is the promise He has made incumbent upon Himself in the Torah, and the Gospel, and the Qur’an. Who is more faithful to his promise than Allah? Rejoice, then, in the bargain you have made with Him. That indeed is the mighty triumph.” Alongside the Quran, a bomb-making workbench was also found in the 42-year-old’s Texas trailer home, as well as chemical residue, chemical bottles, and compounds used for building bombs, the newspaper reported. EXCLUSIVE TOUR of the NOLA terrorists home—- where we found a bomb-making station and a Quran open to a chilling passage about martyrdom @nyposthttps://t.co/LKV7npCOE5 pic.twitter.com/a1znIURjyM — Jennie Taer ?? (@JennieSTaer) January 2, 2025 On Thursday, President Joe Biden said that FBI officials had informed him that the U.S. Army veteran posted videos on Facebook in connection with the terrorist organization ISIS “mere hours before” the attack. The first video was posted at 1:29 a.m. and showed Jabbar saying that he had planned on murdering his family and friends, but changed his mind, FBI Deputy Assistant Director Christopher Raia said on Thursday. Raia said that Jabbar said he was concerned the news headlines would not focus on the “war between the believers and the disbelievers.” Raia added that Jabbar also stated he had joined ISIS before this summer and showed his will and testament. An ISIS flag, weapons and multiple IED bombs were found in the suspect’s rented truck after the attack. The FBI found that Jabbar was working alone. FBI and Harris County Sheriff’s SWAT members are shown near Crescent Peak Drive, where a property associated with Shamsud-Din Jabbar, was investigated on January 1 in Houston. A Quran was found open in Jabbar’s home,… FBI and Harris County Sheriff’s SWAT members are shown near Crescent Peak Drive, where a property associated with Shamsud-Din Jabbar, was investigated on January 1 in Houston. A Quran was found open in Jabbar’s home, the suspect who drove a pickup truck into crowds of people on Bourbon Street in New Orleans, Louisiana, on New Year’s Day, according to exclusive photos obtained by the New York Post. Melissa Phillip/Houston Chronicle via AP What People Are Saying FBI Deputy Assistant Director Christopher Raia said: “Let us be very clear—what happened here in New Orleans was an act of terrorism. It was premeditated and an evil act.” He added: “This was obviously a critical incident and, with that, lots of information and tips come pouring in from law enforcement, first responders, and the public. We have been aggressively running down these tips and information. That takes time, and we will continue to do so until every lead has been followed through on. This investigation is only a little more than 24 hours old, and we have no indication at this point that anyone else was involved in this attack other than Shamsud-Din Bahar Jabbar.” President Joe Biden on Thursday: “New Orleans is a place like no other. Its history, its culture and above all its people. So, I know while this person committed a terrible assault on the city, the spirit of our New Orleans will never, never, never be defeated. It always will shine forth.” What’s Next The FBI investigation is still ongoing, and Raia said on Thursday that the agency was “following up on all potential leads and not ruling anything out.” Biden and first lady Jill Biden will go to New Orleans on Monday to “grieve with the families and community members impacted by the tragic attack,” the White House said on Friday. Do you have a story Newsweek should be covering? Do you have any questions about this story? Contact LiveNews@newsweek.com.