Pakistani Jihad Leader Boasts Wealth Surpassing Musk and Zuckerberg, Says Funds for Jihad Are Limitless

Image: Jihad Watch

Muhammad Masood Azhar’s recent declarations serve as yet another stark reminder of the true intentions behind jihad. Such warnings frequently come directly from jihadists themselves, as well as from states that support or enable them. Yet, in the West, there remains a persistent reluctance to confront this reality. Many prefer to bury their heads in the sand, often dismissing or ignoring these warnings under the guise of combating so-called “Islamophobia.” This denial allows the underlying threat to fester largely unchecked.

While Azhar may be engaging in grandstanding—jihadist leaders are notorious for exaggeration and self-aggrandizement—his claims underscore a crucial truth: there is a substantial financial infrastructure fueling violent jihad, which operates alongside the more subtle “stealth jihad” aimed at spreading Sharia law globally. Historical evidence demonstrates that jihad has been pursued for over 1,400 years, and many Islamic states continue to support its expansion. Countries such as Turkey and Qatar actively back organizations like the Muslim Brotherhood, while Iran remains a major sponsor of Islamist militant activities. Beyond state support, jihadist groups frequently turn to organized crime to fund their operations.

Meanwhile, Pakistan persistently points fingers at India regarding terrorism, despite being home to a dense network of jihadist groups and serving as a major hub for terrorist financing. According to the South Asia Terrorism Portal, Pakistan hosts at least 80 proscribed jihadist organizations, including 45 active insurgent groups and 26 inactive ones. Masood Azhar’s own organization, Jaish-e-Mohammed (JeM), primarily active in Jammu and Kashmir but not limited to it, is listed as a proscribed terrorist group. Notably, JeM maintains handlers in Turkey, highlighting Turkey’s broader role as a supporter of global jihad networks, including connections to Syria’s al-Qaeda leadership and the Muslim Brotherhood.

In a statement reported by India News on November 17, 2025, Masood Azhar boldly claimed, “I am richer than Elon Musk and Mark Zuckerberg combined. I got what I asked for jihad. We have no shortage of money to buy weapons and guns. We have no shortage of money for jihad.” This audacious claim points not only to the wealth available to such organizations but also to their capacity to sustain prolonged campaigns of violence.

This financial power and operational reach have tangible consequences. On November 10, a major explosion rocked the Red Fort area in Delhi. Investigations revealed that the suspected suicide bomber, Dr. Umar Mohammad, was affiliated with Jaish-e-Mohammed. Both Umar Mohammad and Muzammil Shakeel had traveled to Turkey prior to the blasts and reportedly met with a JeM handler there, while a Jaish commander based in Afghanistan was directing their actions.

The threat is further magnified by statements from senior JeM figures. An audio recording of Mufti Abdul Rauf Asghar, a Jaish-e-Mohammed commander and brother of Masood Azhar, surfaced in which he emphasized jihad as the ultimate purpose of life, asserting that it brings honor and that Allah commands the community to wage jihad. Asghar is known for masterminding the IC814 hijacking and continues to play a key role in JeM operations.

Additionally, JeM is actively seeking to expand its reach by forming specialized units, including a women’s brigade under Masood Azhar’s sister, Saeeda Azhar. This initiative is seen as an effort to rejuvenate and strengthen Jaish’s operational network, ensuring that its influence and capabilities continue to grow.

(This Article was originally published by Jihad Watch)