It’s a totally normal phrase for Muslims but it only reaches headlines in one context (Picture: Getty)

‘Allahu Akbar’ means ‘God is Greatest’, and is said by millions of Muslims every day.

It’s part of the five daily prayers, and an expression of joy – for example after happy life events, like a wedding or baby being born.

But unfortunately, extremists have made it a source of fear.

The Uzbek suspect in New York’s terror attack last week, for example, is said to have shouted the phrase before mowing down cyclists.


It means some people believe it’s code for a terror attack, because that’s the only context they have heard it reported in.

But many Muslims have been speaking out to reclaim a key part of their religion from extremists who have given it that negative connection.

For the record, "Allahu Akbar" has no inherent political/violent connotation meriting instant terror diagnosis.I say it like 20 times a day. — rabia chaudry (@rabiasquared) October 31, 2017

'Allahu Akhbar' literally translates to 'God is great'. Most used in prayer or as reaction to something beautiful. https://t.co/9UwkioVZlP — Sara Firth (@Sara__Firth) November 1, 2017

‘For the record, “Allahu Akbar” has no inherent political/violent connotation meriting instant terror diagnosis,’ Rabia Chaudry said. ‘I say it like 20 times a day.’



In the New York Times, Wajahat Ali said ‘I want ‘Allahu Akbar’ back’.

‘I say “Allahu akbar” out loud more than 100 times a day,’ he said. ‘Yesterday, I uttered it several times during my late-evening Isha prayer. Earlier, during dinner, I said it with my mouth full after biting into my succulent halal chicken kebab.’

The phrase is also said by Christians in the Middle East, as the Arabic word for God is Allah.

CNN: We know that Allahu Akbar is a popular phrase among terrorists. COME ON MUSLIMS SAY THIS EVERYDAY IN PRAYER. — Rowaida Abdelaziz (@Rowaida_Abdel) October 31, 2017

I just saw a TV reporter pronouncing it as ‘aloo akbar’ which literally translates to ‘potatoes are the greatest’ https://t.co/6qLi52fU2y — Aisha Sultan (@AishaS) October 31, 2017

A Muslim that prays 5 times a day says “Allahu Akbar” at least 98 times each day (lower estimate) — Yousif Alatiqi (@3ateeji) October 31, 2017

How is she suppose to respond? That a phrase she uses in prayer every single day is now being used against her as a insult. As a terrorist. — Rowaida Abdelaziz (@Rowaida_Abdel) November 3, 2017

But given that for many people, the only time they hear it is when it’s reported in connection with an atrocity, it leads to situations like the one Jiva Akbor found herself in.

She had got on a flight when an Islamic group she is part of, Quran Revolution, messaged her saying that their car had been broken into and completely ransacked.

Jiva sent them a message of support: ‘HasbiAllahu la ilaaha illaahu alayhi tawakaltu may Allah make the day easy for you all!’

France sees highest daily rise in coronavirus infections since pandemic began

The woman sitting next to her reported Jiva to the airline staff merely for writing the word ‘Allah’, as she didn’t understand and was panicked by it.

In the end, they actually ended up becoming friends when Jiva explained she was ‘just a regular Muslim girl travelling’ and comforting colleagues who had been burgled.

‘I met a lady who is deep down inside a wonderful, wonderful human and showed me that the fear-mongering purposely and strategically carried out in this world by the powers-that-be today are very, very real and can make an ordinary person have the most shocking of reactions,’ Jiva said posting about the experience.

‘But if we’re blessed enough ALLAH can easily turn them into the most amazing of life’s moments.’