A Muslim educator accused of supporting Hamas has been blocked from entering the country for a planned speaking tour, the JC can reveal.
Ustadh Mohamed Baajour, an Islamic educator and director of Texas' East Plano Islamic Centre (Epic), has a record of anti-Zionist, terrorist-defending comments, both on social media and in lectures.
One of these came just weeks after the October 7 massacre, when he praised the “people of Gaza” for “scarring the enemy”.
He is reported to have said of the Gazans who have since died as a result of the war: "Every true Muslim would love to have such a death."
And on another occasion is reported to have said: "Allah, give victory to the [resistance fighters] everywhere."
Baajour has verbally attacked Zionists in various countries around the world, where he claims that Jews try to ruin the countries they go to.
He was due to arrive in the UK on Friday for a three-day-tour, organised by Muslim Aid in collaboration with the Al-Khaleel Institute and Tours, an Islamic tour company, with a schedule to speak in London, Manchester and Leicester.
However, the Home Office confirmed to the JC that Baajour does not have permission to enter the UK and would have, therefore, been barred from entry.
The JC also understands that, had he subsequently requested permission, it would not have been granted and that he would have been prevented from entering the country had he attempted to do so.
A Home Office spokesperson said: "There is no place in the UK for foreign nationals who spread hate or push extremist ideas. Those seeking to divide our communities will not be allowed to enter to the UK."
Two days ago, Al-Khaleel, despite still advertising on Facebook that the tour was an “opportunity for British Muslims to "deepen [their] connection with Allah”, announced that it was being called off. The reason the company gave was “unforeseen circumstances”.
Since the Home Office informed the JC of Baajour’s status, he has himself announced that the tour is cancelled, stating that he was pulling out due to “false and damaging information” which he claimed had been “circulated” to the Home Office, making him feel that travelling around the UK would not be safe.
Prior to the knowledge that Mohamed Baajour would not be allowed to enter the UK, former Downing Street chief of staff and MP for West Suffolk, Nick Timothy, sent a letter to the home secretary calling on her not to allow Baajour entry.
He tweeted: "The Home Secretary must act and exclude Mohamed Baajour and every hate preacher from our shores.
"Hate preachers are being given a platform to actively promote violence and spread hate.
"The British public has a right to expect that our government will take decisive action to prevent extremists from freely entering our country."
Muslim Aid said: "Muslim Aid is a global humanitarian organisation that supports those most in need in the UK and around the world regardless of background and abhors violence of any kind.
“Muslim Aid last month entered a contractual and operational relationship with a company that organises faith-based lectures and tours which has previously worked with multiple other established and respected humanitarian charities.
“Muslim Aid upholds strict due diligence, compliance and monitoring standards with robust policies and procedures including anti-terrorism/money laundering, anti-bribery, anti-fraud, and anti-corruption policies which align with both UK and international regulations.
“Due diligence was conducted on this company, with no issues identified, and the partner subsequently identified, checked and invited potential tour speakers including Mohamad Baajour, to speak on the theme of supplication, earnest prayer characterised by humility and mercy.
“Muslim Aid reviewed new claims raised at the end of last week and determined on Saturday based on its own independent assessment of newly highlighted material and its conversations with venues and partners to withdraw from the event. It has clearly communicated this information on its website since Sunday."
Mohamed Baajour and Al-Khaleel have been contacted for comment.
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