UK
British government to proscribe Hizb ut-Tahrir
The Islamist group have called for ‘Muslim armies’ to march on Palestine
January 15, 2024 15:12
The Islamist group have called for ‘Muslim armies’ to march on Palestine
January 15, 2024 15:12The government is to proscribe Hizb ut-Tahrir as a terror group over its “celebration” of the October 7 attack and support for Hamas.
Since the start of Israel’s war with Hamas at the end of last year, the Islamist group’s leaders have called for “Muslim armies” to march on Palestine, while its supporters have chanted for jihad on the streets of London.
Later this week parliament will debate a draft order to outlaw Hizb ut-Tahrir, which would make belonging to, inviting support for, or displaying articles that indicate support for the group would be a criminal offence.
Affiliation with the group after 19 January could then be punished by a prison sentence of up to 14 years.
Any resources owned by Hizb ut-Tahrir may also be seized as terrorist property.
Germany, China, and many Arab countries have already banned the group.
Home Secretary, James Cleverly said: "Hizb ut-Tahrir is an antisemitic organisation that actively promotes and encourages terrorism, including praising and celebrating the appalling 7 October attacks.
"Proscribing this terrorist group will ensure that anyone who belongs to and invites supports for them will face consequences. It will curb Hizb ut-Tahrir’s ability to operate as it currently does.”
Following the October 7 attack, Abdul Wahid, an NHS GP who leads Hizb ut-Tahrir in Britain, was filmed declaring: “Brave mujahadeen, they gave the enemy a punch on the nose and it’s a very welcome punch on the nose.”
Asked on television last month if he would condemn the massacre of 1,200 Israeli civilians, he said: “I will defend the right of the Palestinians to resist occupation.
"When you look at what happened on the 7th of October as if that is the day everything started… the word terrorism has become so politicised… in India people who supported the Australian cricket team have been arrested under terrorist offences, in the West Bank people have been told if you reveal what happened in the prisons you will be arrested on terrorism charges.”
Hizb ut-Tahrir has led several rallies in London outside the embassies of Muslim nations following the start of Israel’s war against Hamas.
In November, the group called for the Muslim community to reject “puppet rulers” who fail to take military action against Israel.
"We must appoint a sincere leader who will move the armies to rescue what remains of the Palestinian victims of the brutal Zionist aggression,” they said.
Security Minister, Tom Tugendhat said: "Hizb ut-Tahrir clearly encourage and promote terrorism.
“Their celebration of Hamas’ appalling attacks on Israel, going so far as to call the terrorists who raped and murdered Israeli citizens ‘heroes’, is disgraceful.
“We stand firmly against antisemitism and hatred against the Jewish community in the UK.”
Hizb ut-Tahrir was founded in Jersualem in 1953 with the aim of replacing Muslim leaders seen as insufficiently pious and eventually establishing a caliphate.
The group has faced repression in many countries, including Bangladesh, Pakistan, Khazakstan, and Indonesia.
A spokesman for the Community Security Trust said: “CST welcomes the government’s decision to proscribe Hizb ut-Tahrir as a terrorist organisation in the UK.
“The UK branch of the international Islamist group openly praised the Hamas terrorist attack on 7th October.
“For decades CST has been warning about the antisemitism and extremism being promoted by Hizb ut-Tahrir in the UK, as well as their role in encouraging terrorism and violence.”
Hizb ut-Tahrir have been contacted for comment.
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