Imam Khalil Adem: From Kidnapping to Threatening the End of Jews—Why Is He Still Employed at a New Jersey Hospital?

Imam Khalil Adem’s shocking anti-Jewish sermon at the Islamic Society of North Jersey, combined with his troubling criminal history and open support for Sharia, raises grave concerns about the safety of all patients, especially Jewish and pro-Israel individuals, under the care of someone whose Islamic beliefs pose a direct threat to healthcare integrity and patient trust.

In a deeply troubling sermon delivered on August 23, 2024, at the Islamic Society of North Jersey in Flanders, NJ, Imam Khalil Adem made shockingly inflammatory statements against Jews and Israel, openly advocating for their downfall at the hands of Muslims. This sermon, which was subsequently posted online on the Islamic Society of North Jersey’s YouTube channel, has raised significant concerns, particularly given Adem’s professional affiliations with Hackensack Meridian Health and Hackensack University Medical Center.

However, this recent sermon is not the first time Khalil Adem has attracted controversy. In 2013, just two years after graduating from Bloomfield College’s Frances M. McLaughlin Division of Nursing, he was arrested for his involvement in the kidnapping and robbery of a teenager in Teaneck, NJ. Adem and five others were charged with first-degree kidnapping, second-degree robbery, and impersonating a police officer after luring a 16-year-old boy who was attempting to sell stolen cell phones.

Despite the severity of the charges, the case was mysteriously dismissed in 2014, allowing Adem to continue his career in nursing. He still holds an active nursing license, which raises serious questions about how someone with such a dark past and now an openly radical agenda is still entrusted with patient care—particularly in a region with a significant Jewish population.

A Shocking Sermon of Hate

In his sermon, Khalil Adem asserted that “Allah told us about the characteristics of the Jews; He said their end will come – and Muslims will be the ones to do it.” Adem’s words reflect Islam’s religious discourse, which crosses into dangerous territory that incites violence and fosters a profoundly anti-Jewish narrative. He spoke of YouTube influencers “starting to expose Israel for what it really is” and questioned why “Israel is controlling America.” Adem’s sermon was steeped in Islamic and left-wing conspiracy theories, and he used these baseless claims to justify his hatred toward Jews, whom he equated with “Zionists”, (a common modern way of instilling Jew-hate behind a layer of politics) responsible for “causing corruption in the land, causing havoc, and killing.”

The most disturbing aspect of Adem’s sermon is his explicit prediction of the Jews’ “downfall,” asserting that Muslims “know their downfall” because it is foretold in the Quran. He emphasized that Muslims would be the agents of this destruction, effectively calling for violence against Jews under the guise of religious Islamic duty.

The Alarming Professional Background of Khalil Adem

What makes this situation even more alarming is Khalil Adem’s professional background. Just two years after graduating from the Bloomfield College Frances M. McLaughlin Division of Nursing in 2011—when he was only 27 years old—Adem found himself arrested in 2013 for first-degree kidnapping and robbery.

Despite the severity of these charges, the case was mysteriously dismissed in 2014, allowing Adem to retain his nursing license. His license, issued in 2012, remains active and valid until 2026, raising serious questions about how someone with such a troubling past can still be entrusted with the care of patients, particularly Jewish, Israeli, or pro-Israel individuals.

Adem’s professional affiliations further complicate the situation. According to his online profiles, he is an imam and holds a significant position in the healthcare industry. On his Facebook page, Adem lists himself as an Assistant Nurse Manager at Hackensack Meridian Health.

 

 

On LinkedIn, he claims to be a Registered Nurse at the same institution. Another online source states that he serves as an administrative supervisor at Hackensack University Medical Center. This raises serious questions about how someone with such openly expressed hatred toward Jews can be entrusted with the care of patients, particularly Jewish, Israeli, or pro-Israel individuals.

 

 

Imam Khalil Khalifa Adem’s Controversial Past

Imam Khalil Khalifa Adem, born in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, to Eritrean parents, migrated to the U.S. in the 1990s. After receiving his Bachelor’s in Nursing, he studied Qur’an & the Islamic Sciences in Cairo, Egypt. Imam Khalil previously served as the principal of the Islamic weekend school and youth coordinator at the controversial Al-Tawheed Islamic Center from 2015-2017 and was later nominated as vice chairman of the Board. Additionally, Imam Khalil was one of the founders of the shadowy organization The Building Blocks Of NJ (BBNJ). This local Muslim charity organization provides Halal food to the Islamic community, many of whom are Islamic “refugees.”

 

 

Hackensack University Medical Center: Located in a Predominantly Jewish Area

Hackensack University Medical Center is situated in Bergen County, New Jersey, a region known for its significant Jewish population. The surrounding areas, including towns like Teaneck, Fair Lawn, and Englewood, are home to vibrant Jewish communities with a rich cultural and religious life. These towns host numerous synagogues, Jewish schools, and community centers, making the area one of the state’s most densely populated Jewish regions.

Given the substantial Jewish presence in Hackensack and its neighboring towns, the affiliation of someone like Khalil Adem with Hackensack University Medical Center is particularly troubling. Jewish patients and their families rely on this institution for their healthcare needs, expecting a safe and supportive environment. The presence of a healthcare professional who has publicly expressed deeply antisemitic views raises serious concerns about the safety and well-being of Jewish patients under his care.

The fact that someone who has publicly aligned himself with Islam’s radical anti-Jewish views and who has expressed a clear intention to see the downfall of Jews is working in a trusted position in healthcare is a matter of grave concern. How can Jewish patients feel safe under the care of a medical professional who has openly propagated such hatred? The dissemination of anti-Jewish sentiment by Islamic medical professionals is not surprising when viewed in the context of their holy scriptures and the teachings of their controversial prophet, Muhammad.

The Ideological Roots of Antisemitism in Islam

The antisemitic rhetoric expressed by Khalil Adem is not an isolated incident but is rooted deeply in Islamic teachings. The Quran contains numerous verses that portray Jews as enemies of Muslims, fabricators of lies, and corrupters of the land. Islamic scholar Robert Spencer has highlighted how the Quran teaches that Jews are “the strongest of all people in enmity toward the Muslims” (5:82), “fabricate things and falsely ascribe them to Allah” (2:79; 3:75, 3:181), and “disobey Allah and never observe his commands” (5:13). These teachings have been used for centuries to justify violence against Jews, perpetuating a cycle of hatred and persecution.

Islamic law (Sharia) systematically discriminates against Jews and Christians, denying them equal rights and subjecting them to humiliating conditions under Muslim rule. The Quran’s ninth sura and various Hadiths prescribe that non-Muslims should be subjugated and forced to pay tribute to Muslims, with those who resist Islamic rule facing violence and death. This supremacist ideology, which draws a sharp distinction between Muslims and non-Muslims, is the foundation upon which religious Muslims like Khalil Adem build their hateful rhetoric.

See the following Facebook post made by Khalil Khalifa Adem, who openly promotes Sharia:

The Dangerous Intersection of Radical Islam and Healthcare

Khalil Adem’s sermon at the Islamic Society of North Jersey is not just an expression of religious belief but a call to action against Jews bolstered by centuries-old Islamic teachings. His position in the healthcare field makes this situation even more dangerous. What kind of care can Jewish, Israeli, or pro-Israel patients expect from a healthcare professional who has openly expressed such hatred? The potential for biased treatment, discrimination, and even harm is a legitimate concern. How can someone who despises Jews be trusted to provide unbiased care to all patients, regardless of their background?

What exactly does Khalil Adem mean by posting a meme on his Facebook page titled ‘Kosher’? Given the context of his inflammatory views against Jews, this post likely carries deeper significance. The term ‘Kosher,’ which refers to Jewish dietary laws, may be used in this instance to mock or denigrate Jewish traditions, subtly reinforcing his anti-Jewish rhetoric.

 

 

In another troubling Facebook post, Khalil Adem appears to be promoting an image of a Jewish Israeli smiling at a little Palestinian child standing in a hospital that has been blown up.

 

Conclusion

Khalil Adem’s case raises alarming questions about how someone with both extremist views and a past arrest for serious charges, though later dismissed, can continue to hold a trusted position in healthcare. His inflammatory sermon, paired with his troubling criminal history, highlights the need for institutions like Hackensack Meridian Health to evaluate whether such individuals should be allowed to care for vulnerable patients, especially those in Jewish communities.

It is vital that healthcare institutions take action to protect patients and ensure that individuals with radical views or a concerning past are not placed in positions where they could harm others.

Take Action

If you are concerned about Khalil Adem’s continued role in healthcare despite his inflammatory views and criminal past, here are ways to take action:

1. Contact the Head of Human Resources at Hackensack Meridian Health:
   • Name: Linda McHugh, Executive Vice President, Chief Experience and People Officer
   • Email: Contact Hackensack Meridian Health
   • Phone: 1-844-HMH-WELL (1-844-464-9355)
   • Reference their Nondiscrimination Policy and request a review of Khalil Adem’s position in light of these standards.
2. Contact the President of Hackensack University Medical Center:
   • Name: Mark D. Sparta, President and Chief Hospital Executive
   • Email: Contact Hackensack University Medical Center
   • Phone: 1-844-HMH-WELL (1-844-464-9355)
   • Voice your concerns about the potential risk to Jewish and pro-Israel patients under Khalil Adem’s care.
3. File a Complaint with the New Jersey Board of Nursing:
   • Website: NJ Board of Nursing Complaint Form
   • License Number: Khalil Adem, Registered Nurse (License No: 26NR15875200)
   • Submit a formal complaint if you believe his views or past conduct pose a risk to patient safety.

This article has been cross-posted with the author’s permission from the RAIR Foundation.