Masjid Bilal ISGH, a mosque located in Houston, has come under scrutiny after reportedly advising its members not to communicate directly with the FBI following the New Orleans terrorist attack.
The mosque, allegedly attended by Shamsud-Din Jabbar—the suspect in the attack—directed its congregation to refer law enforcement inquiries to the Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR) or the Islamic Society of Greater Houston (ISGH).
Shamsud-Din Jabbar, a 42-year-old U.S. Army veteran discharged from the Army Reserve in 2020 with the rank of staff sergeant, converted to Islam several years ago. According to family members, Jabbar’s behavior became increasingly erratic in the months leading up to the attack.
Dwayne Marsh, who is married to Jabbar’s ex-wife, detailed how Jabbar’s behavior had raised concerns. Marsh described Jabbar’s actions as bizarre, citing drastic changes in his appearance, such as cutting his hair in extreme styles, and other unpredictable behaviors that led the family to restrict his access to his daughters.
Jabbar had moved into a predominantly Muslim neighborhood in north Houston approximately a year before the attack. The FBI has since focused on this area as part of its investigation into Jabbar’s connections and possible accomplices.
In the aftermath of the New