UK Imams Point Fingers at Zionists Amidst Growing Tensions from Riots

[Social Media]

 

In the wake of recent clashes between far-Right rioters and Muslim counter-protesters, several religious leaders across the country have begun to point the finger at Zionists as the underlying force behind the unrest. The Telegraph has uncovered that multiple Imams have used their Friday prayer sermons to discuss what they believe are the true motives of those involved in the riots, a trend that has been described by campaign groups as both “alarming” and “divisive.”

 

 

Imam Ashraf Dabous of Lewisham Islamic Centre in south London delivered a sermon earlier this month where he claimed that the individuals participating in the riots were being “misled” and “manipulated” by Zionists. “It is quite well known now, publicly, due to information that has been released online, that they are Zionists and they are supporters of the state of Israel,” Imam Dabous stated during his address. He further elaborated that recent actions were an attempt to “win some ground back for the Zionist agenda,” asserting that Zionists aim to portray Muslims as “savages, killers, and barbaric,” a depiction he argued is a projection of the actions of the Zionist state itself.

 

 

Similarly, at the Darussalam Education Centre in Blackburn, worshippers were informed that the leaders behind the riots were “Zionist people.” The importance of “exposing them” as such was emphasized, although it is understood that the centre is currently investigating the matter. Meanwhile, in Leicester, Sheikh Ali Abbas Malik addressed the congregation at Masjid al Husayn, a Muslim community center, where he spoke of the “frustration” among the “white working class” who feel “overlooked by everyone.”

 

He then claimed that “Zionists such as Tommy Robinson,” allegedly supported by the “Zionist regime,” are perpetuating these ideas among the white working class. Tommy Robinson, whose real name is Stephen Yaxley Lennon, is the founder of the anti-immigrant English Defence League and has been a polarizing figure in the UK. Despite his recent departure from the UK following an arrest under terrorism laws, Robinson remained vocal online during the riots, posting over 100 times on X (formerly Twitter) as the unrest spread across the country.

 

At Kingston Muslim Association, Shaykh Mostahfiz Gani addressed worshippers on August 9th, asserting that “there is a link between Tommy Robinson and the IDF (Israel Defense Forces). There is a link between Zionists and the Right-wing fascists.” The rhetoric continued at Greenwich Islamic Centre, where Haitham al-Haddad, a preacher known for his controversial views, told his congregation that some of the rioters have a “Zionist” agenda and are attempting to “divert the attention” of the Government away from “condemning what the Zionist state Israel is doing.”

 

These sermons have not gone unnoticed, particularly because all of the mentioned mosques are registered charities, which means they fall under the governance of the Charity Commission. Dr. Paul Stott, head of security and extremism at the think-tank Policy Exchange, remarked that the trend of attributing the riots to Zionists can be seen across the political spectrum, from the far-Left to the far-Right. He criticized this narrative, stating, “This is an argument that doesn’t give much agency to those involved in the riots and committed criminal offenses. Instead, it shifts the blame and creates this image of Israel as puppeteers. It puts forward a view of Israel and the Jews as all-powerful and manipulative. Trying to put blame on Israel in one way is pretty desperate, in another it reeks of anti-Semitism.”

 

A spokesman for Campaign Against Antisemitism, a charity, echoed these concerns, saying, “This pattern of blaming the riots on ‘Zionists’ is as alarming as it is prevalent. According to our representative polling, an overwhelming majority of 80 percent of British Jews consider themselves to be Zionist, and only six percent do not. They know what these preachers mean when they say ‘Zionists.’ Religious leaders should be trying to ease communal tensions right now, yet those who invoke these tropes are doing exactly the opposite.”

 

The spokesman urged the Charity Commission to investigate any charities that provide a platform for such rhetoric, emphasizing that these cases “cannot be left unchallenged.” In response, a Charity Commission spokesman acknowledged the concerns and stated, “We are aware of potential concerns at several charities relating to claims about the recent public disorder. We are assessing information to determine if there is a role for the Commission.” Despite the mounting scrutiny, the individual charities involved have declined to comment on the sermons.

 

As the debate over the true causes of the recent riots continues to unfold, the focus on Zionists as the alleged instigators has sparked a broader discussion about the impact of such rhetoric on communal relations in the UK. While the motives behind the riots remain a contentious issue, the divisive nature of the sermons has raised significant concerns about the role of religious leaders in shaping public perception and their responsibility in fostering unity rather than division.

 

Meta, the owner of Facebook and Instagram, announced that it is changing its rules to restrict the use of the word “Zionists,” saying the term had often become a proxy for hate speech against Jews. The term “Zionism” is often associated with the political movement begun in the 19th century, prior to the founding of Israel, to create a nation-state for the Jewish people. 

 

Meta said that “there is nothing approaching a global consensus on what people mean when they use the term ‘Zionist’” and that it had become “a proxy term for Jewish people and Israelis in relation to certain types of hateful attacks.” 

 

The company said it will remove posts attacking “Zionists” when that content uses antisemitic stereotypes or threatens harm through intimidation or violence directed against Jews or Israelis. Meta said it would continue to allow the term in posts about the Zionist political movement, which the company said remains a subject open for debate on its platforms. 

 

Credit: Daily Telegraph 2024-08-26

 

 

 

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[nauseus]

Why would Zionists need to expend energy in the UK? 

 

 

[AndreasHG]

Charities spreading disinformation, hatred and religious intolerance, leading to more deaths and pain.
Their imams should be expelled and stripped of their British nationality, if granted after they immigrated to the UK.

[Thingamabob]

The Islamisation of the UK is well and truly underway and will be completed by the turn of the century, latest. Discussion, let alone action, on this is virtually forbidden. 

[koolkarl]

23 minutes ago, Thingamabob said:

The Islamisation of the UK is well and truly underway and will be completed by the turn of the century, latest. Discussion, let alone action, on this is virtually forbidden. 

Exact situation in Taxania or Canada as it is known.

[koolkarl]

As far as I am concerned, all Muslims have the same brain, some are just more extreme than others.  And if the west does not do something constructive, it won't be pretty. 

There is almost 2 billion of them and they have infiltrated the West as the propaganda machine. The media is a powerful influence especially on the young airheads, just look at the university demonstrations. 

[RichardColeman]

Just the UK muslims making it look like THEY are the victims. I mean the UK has a real history of mad Israelis running around stabbing muslims and bombing mosques and muslim singers in the UK.

[johng]

4 minutes ago, RichardColeman said:

UK has a real history of mad Israelis

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/King_David_Hotel_bombing

[Denim]

Islam is so good that they all ran away from it. It looks like kafir money , schooling and democracy beats Mohammed and Allah hands down in the popularity stakes.

 

What shall we do ? Stay here and inflict sharia law on ourselves and just be patient for all those virgins we are going to get for all eternity when we die ...OR   go and live with Christians and enjoy their freedoms and liberties whilst sucking on their welfare state right now ??

 

Tough choice ......nope ....the Christians got the better deal....pack yer bags and lifevests we are so out of here.

 

Oh, and don't worry Mohammed and Allah.....when we get there we will pretend to hate it and try to make it like the dump we are leaving.

 

 

[Greenhill]

13 minutes ago, johng said:

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/King_David_Hotel_bombing

A totally out of context comment & nothing to do with what's happening in the UK today!!

[Red Forever]

12 hours ago, Social Media said:

 

In the wake of recent clashes between far-Right rioters and Muslim counter-protesters, several religious leaders across the country have begun to point the finger at Zionists as the underlying force behind the unrest. The Telegraph has uncovered that multiple Imams have used their Friday prayer sermons to discuss what they believe are the true motives of those involved in the riots, a trend that has been described by campaign groups as both “alarming” and “divisive.”

 

 

Imam Ashraf Dabous of Lewisham Islamic Centre in south London delivered a sermon earlier this month where he claimed that the individuals participating in the riots were being “misled” and “manipulated” by Zionists. “It is quite well known now, publicly, due to information that has been released online, that they are Zionists and they are supporters of the state of Israel,” Imam Dabous stated during his address. He further elaborated that recent actions were an attempt to “win some ground back for the Zionist agenda,” asserting that Zionists aim to portray Muslims as “savages, killers, and barbaric,” a depiction he argued is a projection of the actions of the Zionist state itself.

 

 

Similarly, at the Darussalam Education Centre in Blackburn, worshippers were informed that the leaders behind the riots were “Zionist people.” The importance of “exposing them” as such was emphasized, although it is understood that the centre is currently investigating the matter. Meanwhile, in Leicester, Sheikh Ali Abbas Malik addressed the congregation at Masjid al Husayn, a Muslim community center, where he spoke of the “frustration” among the “white working class” who feel “overlooked by everyone.”

 

He then claimed that “Zionists such as Tommy Robinson,” allegedly supported by the “Zionist regime,” are perpetuating these ideas among the white working class. Tommy Robinson, whose real name is Stephen Yaxley Lennon, is the founder of the anti-immigrant English Defence League and has been a polarizing figure in the UK. Despite his recent departure from the UK following an arrest under terrorism laws, Robinson remained vocal online during the riots, posting over 100 times on X (formerly Twitter) as the unrest spread across the country.

 

At Kingston Muslim Association, Shaykh Mostahfiz Gani addressed worshippers on August 9th, asserting that “there is a link between Tommy Robinson and the IDF (Israel Defense Forces). There is a link between Zionists and the Right-wing fascists.” The rhetoric continued at Greenwich Islamic Centre, where Haitham al-Haddad, a preacher known for his controversial views, told his congregation that some of the rioters have a “Zionist” agenda and are attempting to “divert the attention” of the Government away from “condemning what the Zionist state Israel is doing.”

 

These sermons have not gone unnoticed, particularly because all of the mentioned mosques are registered charities, which means they fall under the governance of the Charity Commission. Dr. Paul Stott, head of security and extremism at the think-tank Policy Exchange, remarked that the trend of attributing the riots to Zionists can be seen across the political spectrum, from the far-Left to the far-Right. He criticized this narrative, stating, “This is an argument that doesn’t give much agency to those involved in the riots and committed criminal offenses. Instead, it shifts the blame and creates this image of Israel as puppeteers. It puts forward a view of Israel and the Jews as all-powerful and manipulative. Trying to put blame on Israel in one way is pretty desperate, in another it reeks of anti-Semitism.”

 

A spokesman for Campaign Against Antisemitism, a charity, echoed these concerns, saying, “This pattern of blaming the riots on ‘Zionists’ is as alarming as it is prevalent. According to our representative polling, an overwhelming majority of 80 percent of British Jews consider themselves to be Zionist, and only six percent do not. They know what these preachers mean when they say ‘Zionists.’ Religious leaders should be trying to ease communal tensions right now, yet those who invoke these tropes are doing exactly the opposite.”

 

The spokesman urged the Charity Commission to investigate any charities that provide a platform for such rhetoric, emphasizing that these cases “cannot be left unchallenged.” In response, a Charity Commission spokesman acknowledged the concerns and stated, “We are aware of potential concerns at several charities relating to claims about the recent public disorder. We are assessing information to determine if there is a role for the Commission.” Despite the mounting scrutiny, the individual charities involved have declined to comment on the sermons.

 

As the debate over the true causes of the recent riots continues to unfold, the focus on Zionists as the alleged instigators has sparked a broader discussion about the impact of such rhetoric on communal relations in the UK. While the motives behind the riots remain a contentious issue, the divisive nature of the sermons has raised significant concerns about the role of religious leaders in shaping public perception and their responsibility in fostering unity rather than division.

 

Meta, the owner of Facebook and Instagram, announced that it is changing its rules to restrict the use of the word “Zionists,” saying the term had often become a proxy for hate speech against Jews. The term “Zionism” is often associated with the political movement begun in the 19th century, prior to the founding of Israel, to create a nation-state for the Jewish people. 

 

Meta said that “there is nothing approaching a global consensus on what people mean when they use the term ‘Zionist’” and that it had become “a proxy term for Jewish people and Israelis in relation to certain types of hateful attacks.” 

 

The company said it will remove posts attacking “Zionists” when that content uses antisemitic stereotypes or threatens harm through intimidation or violence directed against Jews or Israelis. Meta said it would continue to allow the term in posts about the Zionist political movement, which the company said remains a subject open for debate on its platforms. 

 

Credit: Daily Telegraph 2024-08-26

 

 

 

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Imam Ashraf is 100% correct.

"I love the poorly educated" said Trump. Far right bigots wish he'd not let the cat out of the bag because this is exactly how the Farridge Riots bagan, viz, suggest a scenario which appeals to knuckle scrapers e.g. Southport atrocity was committed by an illegal immigrant and the numptys smash up towns.

The far right agitaters of the Farridge Riots are well aware of how easy it is to wind these members of the master race up.

The citizens who faced up to the far right, poorly educated thugs and reclaimed their streets are to be congratulated.

[Red Forever]

31 minutes ago, Denim said:

Islam is so good that they all ran away from it. It looks like kafir money , schooling and democracy beats Mohammed and Allah hands down in the popularity stakes.

 

What shall we do ? Stay here and inflict sharia law on ourselves and just be patient for all those virgins we are going to get for all eternity when we die ...OR   go and live with Christians and enjoy their freedoms and liberties whilst sucking on their welfare state right now ??

 

Tough choice ......nope ....the Christians got the better deal....pack yer bags and lifevests we are so out of here.

 

Oh, and don't worry Mohammed and Allah.....when we get there we will pretend to hate it and try to make it like the dump we are leaving.

 

 

If you infer that Muslims are going to UK to live with Christians then you should be aware that UK is no longer a christian country. It's secular in that over 50% of the population have no religious faith. Source 2021 census 

[JonnyF]

Thank goodness for diversity.

 

We'd never get to experience such anti-semitism from Muslims on British streets without it. 

 

It really is our greatest strength. 

 

Viva Diversity. 

[Tiger1980]

During the last 20 yrs Muslim extremist have killed 98 people in the U.K.

Thankfully our security services have stopped many more attacks and this while the MUSLIM POPULATION IS AT 8% of the whole population. Just waite while the figure is 20%.

 

[wombat]

isnt him blaming the jews like the pot calling the kettle black?

[wombat]

20 hours ago, Red Forever said:

If you infer that Muslims are going to UK to live with Christians then you should be aware that UK is no longer a christian country. It's secular in that over 50% of the population have no religious faith. Source 2021 census 

so when do we see vigilantes happen that are over the religious bs and see jihad for what it is?