Abu Mussab Wajdi Akkari

Overview:
Abu Mussab Wajdi Akkari is a Lebanese YouTuber who effectively seeks to undermine the Palestinian cause by not missing any chance to mock and downgrade any attempt to criticize Israel. He seeks to brand himself as an “Islam expert”, subtly spreading pro-Israel talking points tuned for the ears of his Muslim audiences.
Prior to converting to Islam, Akkari had a long record being Buddhist and was part of the “Scums of the Earth” metal group and lived a lavish life in the US. Wajdi later converted to Islam and studied Islamic sciences allegedly under the supervision of someone named “Sheikh Abu Mujaahid Fareed Abdullaah”.

Promoting Political Disengagement

Ever since Akkari received a Bachelor of Arts in Islamic Studies in Saudi Arabia, Akkari has become a proponent of “Madkhalism”. “Madkhalism” is a faction within the larger Salafi school of thought that promotes blind faithfulness to Muslim governors.¹ Consequently, “Madkhalist” influencers such as Akkari and Faris al-Hammadi have sought to downplay critique of Arab-Israeli normalization by claiming that such agreements – signed by Muslim Arab rulers- have to be respected and abided by Muslims. Akkari and Hammadi have regularly denounced various forms of protest against Israel’s regional allies on such a basis.²
Moreover, Akkari blames his fellow Muslims for the fate of Palestine, instead of Israel. Consequently, Akkari not only shuns advocacy for the Palestinian cause but also criticizes boycotting pro-Zionism brands such as Starbucks and McDonald’s.³ Akkari steps further and rules out raising any voice against Zionist colonization, claiming that such protests look like “begging”. Akkari claims that sharing imagery of the human catastrophe in Palestine “goes against Muslim dignity”.⁴ Ultimately, Akkari advises his audience to be politically disengaged towards Israel, saying that “the triumph of Palestinians is in the hands of God”.