Afghan businessman openly sells vile 9/11 rug in Santa Barbara
An Afghan-owned rug store in Santa Barbara is selling a controversial rug depicting the 9/11 attacks, sparking public backlash. The rug, priced at $450, shows planes hitting the Twin Towers and includes military imagery and dates referencing the U.S. war in Afghanistan. Store owner Masood Azizi defended the item as a historical memory rather than a celebration of the attacks.
- ▪The rug, sold at Tribal Rugs & Art in Santa Barbara, depicts the 9/11 attacks with images of planes hitting the Twin Towers.
- ▪It also features military equipment and the date '19-3-03,' possibly referencing the U.S. invasion of Iraq.
- ▪Store owner Masood Azizi stated the rug was imported from Afghanistan and intended as a historical record, not a glorification of terrorism.
- ▪Afghan war rugs often depict historical events and are sometimes interpreted as anti-war statements.
- ▪The sale of such rugs in the U.S. has previously drawn criticism for being insensitive to 9/11 victims and their families.
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Shopping exclusive Afghan businessman openly sells vile 9/11 rug in Santa Barbara By Titus Wu Published May 3, 2026, 3:34 p.m. ET The “finest rug store in Santa Barbara” is proudly selling a product depicting horrific images of the 9/11 attack on New York City, the California Post can reveal. Tribal Rugs & Art was promoting one of the items as the centerpiece of its display on the sidewalk on the bustling State Street on Saturday afternoon. The controversial mat, priced at $450, shows the moment the two planes hit the Twin Towers with parts of the buildings missing where the jets collided. Tribal Rugs & Art was promoting one of the items as the centerpiece of its display on the sidewalk on the bustling State Street on Saturday afternoon.
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Excerpt limited to ~120 words for fair-use compliance. The full article is at New York Post.
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