As 2026 approaches, many are likely planning celebrations with friends and family to ring in the new year. However, some major cities are altering or cancelling their celebrations over threats of Islamic terrorism.

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From the Daily Wire:

In Chicago, state and local officials released a joint threat assessment just before Christmas, and warned that crowded celebrations — such as the annual New Year’s Eve fireworks at Navy Pier — could be “attractive targets” for either domestic or foreign terrorists. They plan to go ahead with the events as planned, but will be increasing security in the area — and will be actively monitoring for potential attacks with drones or by using vehicles to ram crowds.

In Los Angeles, just over a week earlier, the FBI foiled a series of planned New Year’s attacks by the anti-government extremist group Turtle Island Liberation Front. Those attacks were supposed to target local businesses — and the group also planned to target Immigration and Customs Enforcement agents in the coming weeks. Members of the group had already begun the process of building and testing pipe bombs to be used in the holiday attacks when they were caught.

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A threat assessment for the massive New Year’s Eve celebration held in Times Square, New York City, also raised red flags as officials said the largest concerns were potential “lone wolf” actors and small, organized groups. New York City is a symbolically “aspirational target” for would-be terrorists, the assessment stated, also noting the potential for “vehicle ramming attacks.”

The Daily Wire notes that these alterations and warnings come of the heels of similar threats overseas. Christmas celebrations were notably changed or outright cancelled across the continent due to similar threats of Islamic attacks.

This also comes just after Director of National Intelligence Tulsi Gabbard warned that Islam is the greatest threat to our freedoms. Speaking to AmericaFest, she sounded the alarm on “Islamist ideology,” highlighting how its adherents are already radicalizing Americans in cities like Dearborn and Minneapolis.

IFA has covered the threat of Islam repeatedly, most recent in December’s First Friday webcast. We’ve hosted experts and persecuted Christians who have all attested to the same thing: Islam is incompatible with our Christian, western values, and it is not opposed to taking our cities, states, and nation by force.

As we celebrate the arrival of the new year, let’s pray for protection from any and all threats!

How are you praying for our nation ahead of 2026? Share your prayers and scriptures below.

(Excerpt from the Daily Wire. Photo Credit: Antonio Gabola on Unsplash)