‘Allahu Akbar’ is a prevalent and real-life example of this semantic transition. In order for ‘Allahu Akbar’ to regain its positive connotations, it is important to educate and remind people that it ...

"Muslims can use Allahu akbar to express general approval, or even as an exclamation of surprise," says Slate. ... It is also often used outside of the Arabic-speaking community.

“The Arabic chant ‘Allahu Akbar,’ God is great, sometimes is said under the most beautiful of circumstances,” CNN’s Jake Tapper said on Tuesday afternoon, hours after the attack.