Alex Thurston
Role at the time: University of Cincinnati scholar of Islam and politics; author of Sawahil
Condemned
Response to this claim
Loomer's use of jihadist to describe Mamdani is racist and anti-Muslim abuse.
“but ultimately she just uses the term “jihadist” as one of several synonyms for “outsider.” It’s unadulterated racism and anti-Muslim hatred.”
Open source (opens in a new tab)Zohran Mamdani's Right-Wing Haters and the Declining Viability of "Jihadist" as an Academic TermParagraph beginning In Loomer's rants, following quotations of her October 2025 broadcast
Thurston criticizes Loomer's use of the label against Mamdani within an essay about the term's use in academic research and political rhetoric.
Archived copy (opens in a new tab)Why we used this label
Thurston expressly condemns Loomer's use of the label. His criticism of the rhetoric goes beyond disputing whether a descriptive term fits Mamdani.