Al-Quds Day Organiser's Controversial Chants at Pro-Iran Demonstration
Raza Kazim, a trustee of the Islamic Human Rights Commission (IHRC) trust and fundraiser for the group organising London's Al-Quds Day rally, was filmed leading chants of 'death to the IDF' and 'Khamenei makes us proud' at a pro-Iran demonstration outside the US embassy last Saturday. The protest occurred following the death of Iran's Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei in an Israeli drone strike.
Footage from the event shows Kazim, who leads a mathematics teacher training course at Middlesex University, enthusiastically leading crowds with the chant 'say it clear, say it loud, Khamenei makes us proud'. In separate video evidence, he is heard yelling 'death to the IDF [Israel Defence Forces]' - a slogan previously described as hate speech by Labour leader Sir Keir Starmer.
Home Secretary Bans March But Allows Static Protest
This week, Home Secretary Shabana Mahmood prohibited the planned Al-Quds Day march through London due to risks of serious disorder, though the event will proceed on Sunday as a stationary protest. The IHRC, which organises the annual demonstration, has strongly condemned the march ban but confirmed it will continue with the static gathering.
Mahmood stated the decision was necessary 'to prevent serious public disorder, due to the scale of the protest and multiple counter-protests, in the context of the ongoing conflict in the Middle East'. She added that police would apply strict conditions to any stationary demonstration and expected 'the full force of the law applied to anyone spreading hatred and division'.
IHRC's Links to Iranian Regime Under Scrutiny
The Islamic Human Rights Commission was described in the independent review of the Prevent strategy as an 'Islamist group ideologically aligned with the Iranian regime, that has a history of extremist links and terrorist sympathies'. Although the IHRC claims its charitable trust is a separate entity, both organisations share the same business address and telephone number.
In a statement reported by The Times, Kazim praised Khamenei - whose regime has been responsible for thousands of protester deaths - for 'his principled opposition to systems of racial and political oppression'. He defended the 'death to the IDF' chant as a 'creative and forceful expression calling for the dismantling of a genocidal military institution responsible for terrorising, killing, raping and torturing Palestinians, while enforcing a system of apartheid that denies their basic humanity'.
Senior Figures Express Support for Iranian Leadership
Other IHRC representatives have publicly expressed admiration for Iran's leadership. Massoud Shadjareh, the organisation's co-founder and chair, previously described meeting Khamenei to present research on Islamophobia, recalling how the Supreme Leader listened 'very attentively' before offering guidance.
Shadjareh told an audience: 'Our confidence comes in the fact that we have got the most powerful entity backing us and guiding us and this is why we are here and this is why we will be victorious if we unite.'
Faisal Bodi, the IHRC's spokesman, described Khamenei as a man of 'principle and integrity', telling the BBC he would 'happily' hold a picture of the Ayatollah rather than Keir Starmer or Donald Trump. Bodi added that Khamenei 'stood on the side of Palestine' and quoted Tehran's official figures for protester deaths rather than independently verified estimates reaching tens of thousands.
Policing Challenges for Sunday's Static Protest
Metropolitan Police Assistant Commissioner Ade Adelekan revealed that authorities anticipate up to 12,000 participants across both the protest and counter-protests, with police planning to use the River Thames as a physical barrier between opposing groups. At least a thousand officers from the Met and other forces will patrol the event, with more available if required.
'While we will protect the right to freedom of speech, there is a zero-tolerance approach to hate crime and anyone who crosses the line can expect to face arrest,' Adelekan warned. He acknowledged that policing measures cannot 'guarantee' disorder will not occur but expressed hope they would mitigate disruption.
The static protest will be confined to the area between Vauxhall and Lambeth bridges from 1pm to 3pm, with counter-protesters assembling on the Millbank side of the Thames. Lambeth Bridge will be closed to all but emergency vehicles.
Government Adviser Raises Concerns About Legal Loophole
Lord Walney, the government's former extremism adviser, described Kazim's comments as 'deeply disturbing', stating: 'These kinds of remarks are not remotely acceptable and not remotely peaceful and they make a mockery of those who claim there is no link between regime supporters and charities.'
Walney has warned that the static protest could still cause serious disorder and blamed a 'loophole' in public order laws that prevents ministers from banning rallies that remain in one location. Neither the government nor police have powers under the Public Order Act to prohibit stationary demonstrations.
Background: What is Al-Quds Day?
Al-Quds Day - named after the Arabic word for Jerusalem - was established by Ayatollah Ruhollah Khomeini following Iran's 1979 revolution. Occurring on the last Friday of Ramadan, it was conceived as an international day to express support for Palestine and opposition to Israel and Zionism.
The London march has taken place for over four decades, organised by the UK al-Quds Committee led by the Islamic Human Rights Commission. The event has become increasingly controversial, with many viewing it as a hate march that regularly results in arrests for supporting terrorist organisations and committing antisemitic hate crimes.
The IHRC has consistently expressed support for Iran's leadership, describing the late Ayatollah Khamenei as having been 'on the right side of history'. Middlesex University has been contacted for comment regarding Kazim's involvement as a trustee while employed as a teacher trainer at the institution.
