A dentist in Florida is under fire and facing calls for the suspension of his license following statements he made during sermons at a mosque in north Miami.
On April 26, Dr. Fadi Kablawi, who is also an imam at Masjid As Sunnah An Nabawiyyah, called for the murder of Jews during a sermon broadcast on Facebook. He described the current Israeli regime as “worse than the Nazis” and prayed for the annihilation of Jews.
“North Miami, where dentist Kablawi practices, contains many Jewish residents, none of whom could be considered safe in Imam Kablawi’s dental chair, where he could personally implement what he is asking Allah to do,” wrote Florida state Representative Randy Fine in a letter to Dr. Jose R. Mellado, chairman of the Florida Board of Dentistry. Fine demanded the immediate suspension of Kablawi’s license and an investigation into his practice.
Fine, who is the chairman of the Florida House Health and Human Services Committee and Florida’s lone Jewish Republican, emphasized the threat Kablawi poses. He mentioned that Jewish residents in the area are already expressing fear, knowing that someone with such extreme and hateful views might be responsible for their dental care.
In an email to the Florida Board of Dentistry staff members, Dr. Mellado echoed these concerns, highlighting the potential danger posed by Kablawi’s rhetoric. “It is our utmost responsibility to protect and ensure the safety of the citizens in Florida,” he stated.
Additional inflammatory comments by Kablawi have been documented. On March 8, Kablawi called for the annihilation of “the accursed Zionists” during a lecture at the mosque. This sentiment was reiterated just over a month after the October 7 Hamas attack against Israel, when Kablawi once again prayed for disastrous days to befall the Jewish people.
The request for Kablawi’s license suspension and the investigation into his practice comes amid a broader context of conflict and rising tensions. Following a Hamas attack that resulted in over 1,200 Israeli deaths, Israel’s counteroffensive in Gaza has resulted in significant casualties and destruction. The conflict has also triggered widespread protests and arrests, with pro-Palestinian student demonstrations at U.S. campuses and globally.
This incident is a stark reminder of the importance of vigilance and accountability in our professional and community leaders, ensuring they uphold the principles of safety and respect for all citizens.
