Texas Imam Calls on Muslims to Stop Using Whatsapp

In his Friday sermon on June 21, 2024, at the Islamic Center in Brushy Creek, Texas, Imam Jawad Rasul called on Muslims to stop using the WhatsApp messaging service, as it is believed to provide information about users to the IDF. He claimed that an IDF artificial intelligence tool called Lavender identifies participants in WhatsApp groups with known terrorists as targets for drone strikes. He suggested that Muslims start using alternative messaging apps that are not controlled by Meta. The sermon was broadcast live on the mosque’s YouTube channel.