UK Imams Attribute Recent Riots to "Zionist" Influence, Sparking Concern
Several UK imams have blamed recent riots on "Zionist" influence, raising alarm among campaign groups. The Charity Commission is assessing the situation as these mosques are registered charities.
Recent investigations have revealed a concerning trend among some UK imams who are attributing the motives behind recent riots to "Zionist" influence. This rhetoric has emerged during Friday prayer sermons in various mosques across the country, coinciding with a period of heightened tensions and violent clashes between far-right groups and Muslim counter-protesters.
The use of such language has drawn criticism from campaign groups, who view it as divisive and potentially harmful to community relations. These organizations are urging the Charity Commission, which oversees registered charities in England and Wales, to take action.
One notable example comes from Imam Ashraf Dabous at Lewisham Islamic Centre in south London. In a recent sermon, he suggested that rioters were being "misled" and "manipulated" by Zionists, claiming that this was part of an agenda to portray Muslims negatively.
Similar sentiments were echoed in other mosques. At the Darussalam Education Centre in Blackburn, worshippers were told that the "leaders" of the violent acts during the riots were "Zionist people." Meanwhile, at Masjid al Husayn in Leicester, Sheikh Ali Abbas Malik linked the riots to frustrations among the white working class and alleged Zionist involvement.
It's important to note that Zionism is a nationalist movement supporting the development of a Jewish state in the historic Land of Israel. However, the term is sometimes misused in anti-Semitic contexts.
These statements have raised concerns among experts and campaign groups. Dr. Paul Stott, head of security and extremism at the think-tank Policy Exchange, pointed out that this narrative removes agency from the rioters and shifts blame to a perceived all-powerful manipulator, which he suggests "reeks of anti-Semitism."
The Campaign Against Antisemitism, a British non-profit organization, has expressed alarm at this pattern. They emphasize that the majority of British Jews consider themselves Zionists and argue that religious leaders should be working to ease communal tensions rather than exacerbating them.
"This pattern of blaming the riots on 'Zionists' is as alarming as it is prevalent. Religious leaders should be trying to ease communal tensions right now, yet those who invoke these tropes are doing exactly the opposite."
The Charity Commission has acknowledged the concerns and is currently assessing the situation to determine if further action is necessary. This development highlights the complex interplay between religious institutions, political messaging, and community relations in the UK.
As the situation unfolds, it underscores the importance of promoting interfaith dialogue and understanding to counter divisive narratives and foster harmony among diverse communities.
