A prominent Islamic scholar has been barred from entering the UK following comments supporting Palestine.
Dr Shadee Elmasry was due to visit Birmingham on Sunday as part of a three-day speaking tour to Bolton and Ilford, organised by the Global Relief Trust. However, Home Secretary Shabana Mahmood revoked his travel authorisation, citing “controversial” social media posts relating to the Gaza conflict and statements allegedly justifying Palestinian resistance.
A Home Office spokesperson said: “There is no place in the UK for foreign nationals who spread hate or promote extremist ideas. Anyone intent on stirring hatred or dividing communities will not be allowed entry.”
Dr Elmasry has consistently criticised Israel’s military actions in Gaza, highlighting civilian casualties and mass displacement. He has also criticised Western nations for what he describes as double standards in their support of Israel, despite 71,386 Palestinians reportedly killed in Gaza and widespread displacement.
Following the attacks in southern Israel on 7 October, Dr Elmasry wrote on social media: “They [Western commentators] are shocked that the people of Gaza finally defended themselves after 50 years of oppression. Yet similar actions in Ukraine against Russia would be celebrated, ignoring Israel’s far worse actions against Palestinians.”
Responding to the ban, Dr Elmasry said: “I agree with the Home Secretary that there is no place in the UK for hate and extremism. My message has always been about compassion and connection. I love England, where I lived for four years, and I was excited to return.”
The ban followed calls from Conservative MP Nick Timothy, who argued that allowing Dr Elmasry to speak risked “giving a platform to incitement and violent extremism” and urged the Home Secretary to prevent foreign nationals whose presence could be “not conducive to the public good.”
The decision has been welcomed by pro-Israel groups such as North West Friends of Israel, which praised the Home Secretary for protecting the UK’s Jewish community.
Dr Mahmood has previously faced criticism for her stance on Palestine, including abstaining on a key ceasefire vote in November 2023, and for comments regarding the Arabic name “Jihad” after the Manchester synagogue attack. She also recently cancelled the visa of Pakistani influencer Tuaha Ibn Jalil, who was scheduled to speak at mosques, community centres, a university, and a school, after advocating for “jihad” in relation to Israel—a term meaning “struggle.”
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A prominent Islamic scholar has been barred from entering the UK following comments supporting Palestine.
Dr Shadee Elmasry was due to visit Birmingham on Sunday as part of a three-day speaking tour to Bolton and Ilford, organised by the Global Relief Trust. However, Home Secretary Shabana Mahmood revoked his travel authorisation, citing “controversial” social media posts relating to the Gaza conflict and statements allegedly justifying Palestinian resistance.
A Home Office spokesperson said: “There is no place in the UK for foreign nationals who spread hate or promote extremist ideas. Anyone intent on stirring hatred or dividing communities will not be allowed entry.”
Dr Elmasry has consistently criticised Israel’s military actions in Gaza, highlighting civilian casualties and mass displacement. He has also criticised Western nations for what he describes as double standards in their support of Israel, despite 71,386 Palestinians reportedly killed in Gaza and widespread displacement.
Following the attacks in southern Israel on 7 October, Dr Elmasry wrote on social media: “They [Western commentators] are shocked that the people of Gaza finally defended themselves after 50 years of oppression. Yet similar actions in Ukraine against Russia would be celebrated, ignoring Israel’s far worse actions against Palestinians.”
Responding to the ban, Dr Elmasry said: “I agree with the Home Secretary that there is no place in the UK for hate and extremism. My message has always been about compassion and connection. I love England, where I lived for four years, and I was excited to return.”
The ban followed calls from Conservative MP Nick Timothy, who argued that allowing Dr Elmasry to speak risked “giving a platform to incitement and violent extremism” and urged the Home Secretary to prevent foreign nationals whose presence could be “not conducive to the public good.”
The decision has been welcomed by pro-Israel groups such as North West Friends of Israel, which praised the Home Secretary for protecting the UK’s Jewish community.
Dr Mahmood has previously faced criticism for her stance on Palestine, including abstaining on a key ceasefire vote in November 2023, and for comments regarding the Arabic name “Jihad” after the Manchester synagogue attack. She also recently cancelled the visa of Pakistani influencer Tuaha Ibn Jalil, who was scheduled to speak at mosques, community centres, a university, and a school, after advocating for “jihad” in relation to Israel—a term meaning “struggle.”
