Imam Karim AbuZaid called Texas Democrats’ midterm wins “a chance for us Muslims to grab” in a November 6 sermon, months after saying “Islam will rule the world again.” His group plans to open a mosque and an Islamic outreach academy at a former Richardson Baptist church.
Discussing scripture in the same sermon, AbuZaid argued that “the believers now have to confront the disbelievers,” adding “not necessarily physically.” He cited intellectual debate and elections as “lawful means” but said “it will escalate” to confrontation. “It has to at the end,” he added.
In a May 22 livestream from the Authentic Ilm Mission (AIM) Memorial Day conference in Arlington, AbuZaid described a second period of Islamic rule and linked it to the return of Jesus, known in Islam as Isa.
At the same conference, San Diego imam Uthman ibn Farooq described making America a Muslim country as “our goal.”
He called Islam the best thing for America and urged peaceful dawah, or Islamic outreach. The Middle East Media Research Institute (MEMRI) published excerpts of both talks, including AbuZaid’s claim that no other faith matched Islam’s morality.
AbuZaid mentioned his new Texas project as he welcomed the results in November. He later questioned how the winners would govern under “man-made laws” and argued that only Sharia, or Islamic religious law, could bring peace. He again invoked Jesus’ return, saying Jesus would rule by God’s laws. AbuZaid also said “we’re not going to force it on you.”
AbuZaid called Republicans “so Islamophobic” but said he does not vote and was making no endorsement.
In an accompanying article, AbuZaid drew on a reference to David and Goliath in the victory speech of U.S. Sen.-elect James Talarico (D-Texas). He described elections as a form of civic action and said Muslims must act lawfully and honor agreements.
Democrats won the governor’s race and a U.S. Senate seat in the November 3 election, according to unofficial state returns. Republicans retained control of the Texas Senate.
AbuZaid said U.S. Sen. Ted Cruz (R-Texas) was “singing the blues by himself.” Cruz wrote Monday on X, “This is their plan. They admit it proudly. Hell no.” He quoted a November 8 post whose caption portrayed AbuZaid’s remarks in the edited video as a call for Muslims to take over Texas.
This is their plan.
They admit it proudly.
Hell no. https://t.co/z0PP7vu0xX
— Ted Cruz (@tedcruz) November 9, 2026
From Baptist church to mosque
In a January 30 sermon in Columbia, South Carolina, AbuZaid said Farooq would lead the Richardson academy and seminary and train Muslims to bring Islam to Christians and Jews, according to a MEMRI report.
“America will be a Muslim country, Russia will be a Muslim country,” Farooq said in a Birmingham, England, lecture posted in May 2025, according to a MEMRI excerpt. He said a “nightmare of a Muslim Europe” would come true and urged listeners to help spread Islam.
The two clerics appeared together at Sufaraa Center in McKinney on September 18, as The Dallas Express reported. Farooq said “we want Islam for this country.” He cited past Muslim rule in Spain, Portugal and Sicily, described a Muslim leader advancing “sword in hand” and blamed later defeats on religious compromise. Farooq said the Richardson center would train young Muslims to spread Islam in schools and workplaces and replicate the outreach “in every city all over the world.”
AIM lists AbuZaid and Farooq as speakers at the November 27 inauguration of Dar Al-Tawheed Masjid at 201 N. Plano Road. The group moved the opening from November 6 because construction took longer than expected.
AbuZaid told The Dallas Express in July that the affiliated nonprofit Salahuddin Future Academy bought the former Korean World Mission Baptist Church property. The purchase followed a lawsuit over a disputed $3.8 million sales contract.
AIM plans to open the mosque during a six-day residential camp to train Islamic educators and proselytizers. The group also plans a K-12 Islamic school, seminary and food pantry at the site.
Provided by Dallas Express
