UK
‘No mercy’ for Maccabi Tel Aviv fans, vows Birmingham-based Islamic preacher in video
Asrar Rashid has 11,000 followers on X and 98,000 subscribers on YouTube
October 17, 2025 15:42
Asrar Rashid has 11,000 followers on X and 98,000 subscribers on YouTube
October 17, 2025 15:42Footage has emerged of a Birmingham-based Islamic preacher threatening Maccabi Tel Aviv fans ahead of their scheduled game with Aston Villa in November.
In the video the preacher, who has been identified as Asrar Rashid, is seen saying: “When the Tel Aviv fans come to Birmingham in a few weeks, we will not show them rahma [mercy] in Birmingham.”
The clip, which has come to light following the announcement that Maccabi Tel Aviv fans will not be allowed to attend the match, was recorded in Amsterdam on October 1 during a talk Rashid was giving titled The Responsibilities of Muslims In Europe.
Reacting online Rashid – who has 11,000 followers on X and 98,000 subscribers on YouTube – wrote: “I stand by the fact that IDF are shameless murderous foul beings. Here is the full clip to what I said regarding IDF soldiers visiting Birmingham at the Aston Villah Stadium. A clip posted by the Mossad MEMRI TV. Typical Judeo-Christian Zionist propaganda in action.”
British Islamic Scholar Asrar Rashid: We Will Not Show Mercy to Maccabi Tel Aviv Fans Traveling to Birmingham for the Aston Villa F.C. Match; If You Make a Deal with an IDF Soldier, Take His Money If You Win, But Do Not Pay Him If You Lose – That’s the Islamic Ruling… pic.twitter.com/KQU0VKkfVv
— MEMRI (@MEMRIReports) October 15, 2025
West Midlands police and Birmingham council have faced a huge backlash since the ban was announced on Thursday evening.
Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer criticised the move, saying "we will not tolerate antisemitism on our streets" and that the role of police was "to ensure all football fans can enjoy the game, without fear of violence or intimidation".
Conservative leader Kemi Badenoch branded the decision a "national disgrace". She wrote on X that Starmer should "guarantee that Jewish fans can walk into any football stadium in this country.
"If not, it sends a horrendous and shameful message: there are parts of Britain where Jews simply cannot go."
However not everyone was against the move.
Independent MP for Birmingham Perry Barr, Ayoub Khan, wrote on X: “I welcome the news that Maccabi Tel Aviv fans will not be permitted to watch the match at Aston Villa! Well done to all those that signed our petition!”
Iqbal Mohamed, another independent MP elected on a Gaza ticket, added: “Thank you all who put the safety of Aston Villa fans, Birmingham residents and the British public above the Zionist and political pressure to let Israeli hooligans and terrorists run riot in our country.”
Meanwhile Zahra Sultana, who recently founded a new political party with Jeremy Corbyn went a step further, saying: “Next UEFA must ban all Israeli teams. We cannot have normalisation with genocide and apartheid.”
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