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In his September 12, 2025 Friday sermon at Masjid William Salaam in Norfolk, VA, Imam Ismail Saleem reflected on the assassination of Charlie Kirk, calling empathy for his family and friends a "problem." He said that those who empathize do so because "they are not good people themselves." Saleem asked whether anyone would want Kirk's children to continue his legacy when they grow up, and he added: "The world is a better place without him," saying it makes him smile that Kirk is "getting what he deserves right now." He continued to say that their tears and anger make him smile.
Ismail Saleem: "You see, the problem today is with empathy. The problem that we see currently, in these last couple of days, is that the empathy for the family and friends of the racist person [Charlie Kirk].
[...]
"Does anyone hope that this man's children grow up to be like him or continue his legacy and his work? Some people empathize because they are not good people themselves.
[...]
"He died disrespecting black people, so I don't care about him at all. The world is a better place without him. He is getting what he deserves right now, and it makes me smile. Their tears make me smile. Their anger makes me smile, because they weren't crying when they see Palestinian children dying every single day when they lose their parents.
[...]
"So why would I cry? Let them see how we feel. See how it feels for people to not care about you at all. If they want to help, tell their friends and family to stop being racist, then we'll stop being indifferent to whatever happens to them."
Ismail Saleem: "You see, the problem today is with empathy. The problem that we see currently, in these last couple of days, is that the empathy for the family and friends of the racist person [Charlie Kirk].
[...]
"Does anyone hope that this man's children grow up to be like him or continue his legacy and his work? Some people empathize because they are not good people themselves.
[...]
"He died disrespecting black people, so I don't care about him at all. The world is a better place without him. He is getting what he deserves right now, and it makes me smile. Their tears make me smile. Their anger makes me smile, because they weren't crying when they see Palestinian children dying every single day when they lose their parents.
[...]
"So why would I cry? Let them see how we feel. See how it feels for people to not care about you at all. If they want to help, tell their friends and family to stop being racist, then we'll stop being indifferent to whatever happens to them."
