Fort Hood Hosts Lavish Ramadan Iftar on Site of 2009 Massacre

U.S. Army base draws criticism for celebrating Islamic holiday at location of deadly attack by Muslim soldier

Mar. 9, 2026 at 2:22pm

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The U.S. Army at Fort Hood, Texas is hosting its 5th Annual Ramadan Iftar dinner at the base's Main Post Chapel, drawing criticism from those who see it as an insensitive gesture on the very ground where a Muslim soldier killed 13 and wounded 32 others in a 2009 attack. The event has reignited concerns about the presence and influence of devout Muslims in the U.S. military, whose loyalty to Sharia law is seen by some as incompatible with the Constitution.

Why it matters

The Fort Hood attack in 2009, carried out by Major Nidal Hasan who shouted "Allahu Akbar" as he opened fire, was one of the deadliest acts of domestic terrorism in recent U.S. history. Critics argue that hosting a Ramadan celebration on this hallowed ground is an insult to the victims and a troubling sign of the military's accommodation of Islamic doctrine, which they say poses a threat to American values and security.

The details

The 5th Annual Ramadan Iftar dinner is being hosted by the base's Muslim community at the Main Post Chapel. Unlike Christian and Jewish holidays, which receive more limited recognition, the event features a lavish celebration of the Islamic holy month. This has sparked outrage from those who believe the military is showing favoritism toward Islam and failing to address concerns about the loyalty of devout Muslim service members, whose adherence to Sharia law is seen as incompatible with the Constitution.

  • The 2009 Fort Hood attack by Major Nidal Hasan occurred on November 5, 2009.
  • The 5th Annual Ramadan Iftar dinner is scheduled to take place in 2026.

The players

Nidal Hasan

A Muslim major in the U.S. Army who carried out the 2009 Fort Hood shooting, killing 13 and wounding 32 others while shouting "Allahu Akbar".

Rick Womick

A former Tennessee state representative who warned in 2011 that devout Muslims in the U.S. military pose a grave danger due to their loyalty to Sharia law over the Constitution.

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What they’re saying

“The @USArmy at @forthoodarmy celebrates muslims during Ramadan with a nice Program & Dinner. Christians don't get celebrated; they just get a little egg hunt. Fort Hood forgot that a muslim officer murdered 13 & injured 32 others in '09. Muslims do not belong in our military. Their allegiance is to the quran & it tells them to kill every infidel. I wonder how many people have to get allahu akbar'ed before Texans wake up.”

— Valentina Gomez (Twitter)

“So yes, personally, I don't trust one Muslim in our military... Because they're commanded to lie... And if they truly are a devout Muslim and follow the Quran, then I feel threatened because they're commanded to kill me.”

— Rick Womick, Former Tennessee State Representative (Tennessee Freedom Coalition event)

What’s next

The U.S. Army has not indicated any plans to cancel or modify the Ramadan Iftar dinner at Fort Hood in light of the criticism.

The takeaway

This event at Fort Hood highlights the ongoing debate over the role of Islam in the U.S. military, with critics arguing that the accommodation of Islamic practices and beliefs poses a threat to military readiness and national security given the inherent conflicts between Sharia law and the Constitution.