London mosque hosts hate preacher who called 9/11 and Charlie Hebdo attacks ‘comedy’
MP demands to know how Egyptian-born Dr Omar Abdul Kafi, who has given sermons about 'revenge' on Jews, was allowed into the UK to speak at Finsbury Park mosque in north London.
An MP has demanded to know “how on earth” an Egyptian-born “hate preacher who has previously given sermons about killing Jews” was allowed to enter the UK.
Dr Omar Abdul Kafi had last month given a lecture at the Finsbury Park mosque in north London as part of a UK wide tour that also saw him give talks in Leeds and Liverpool.
Speaking in the Commons on Thursday, the Tory MP Robert Langan recalled how Omar Abdul Kafi “has previously given sermons about killing Jews and advanced antisemitic conspiracy theories, and he is known to have directly inspired the Stockholm suicide bomber, Taimour Abdulwahab.”
Reports have previously revealed how Kafi had delivered a sermon that was recorded and posted on YouTube – in which he quoted: “The day of judgment will not come about until Muslims fight the Jews, when the Jew will hide behind stones and trees. The stones and trees will say O Muslim, O Servant of Allah, there is a Jew behind me, come and kill him.”
In 2015 he also told supporters that Muslims were not involved in the 9/11 and Charlie Hebdo terror attacks – calling both massacres “comedy films”.
“This play to which Muslims are subjected to ad nauseum across the world is the sequel to the comedy film of 9/11,’ he said in a video translated from Arabic by the Middle East Media Research Institute.
“The first part took place in New York and the sequel is taking place in Paris.”
His Facebook posts have also been translated by the American Centre for Democracy which show his call to get “revenge” on Jewish people, the publication reported.
“O Allah, the Jews have gone astray and therefore show us the wonders of your might and ability inflicted upon them,” he posted on July 21, 2017.
Speaking in the Commons on Thursday, the Tory MP Robert Largan said:”Recently the Egyptian-born hate preacher Omar Abdul Kafi went on a UK tour, giving lectures at Finsbury Park mosque in London and a number of venues in Leeds, Liverpool and Mayfair.
“Abdul Kafi has previously given sermons about killing Jews and advanced antisemitic conspiracy theories, and he is known to have directly inspired the Stockholm suicide bomber, Taimour Abdulwahab.
“Given these facts, can we have a debate on how on earth such an individual was allowed to enter the country and how that is compatible with the Government’s wider Prevent strategy?”
Responding for the government, Mark Spencer, Leader of the House of Commons said: “Antisemitism has absolutely no place in our society. We expect anyone involved in spreading hate to face the full extent of the law, which is why the UK has robust hate crime tools to support the investigation and prosecution of those who incite racial and religious hatred.
“I am aware that the individual has made shocking remarks in the past, and I will raise concerns with the home secretary.”
In a statement, Finsbury Park Mosque said Abdul Kafi had given a talk “on the topic of preparing for Ramadan and how to make the most of this blessed month.”
They added this was a “spiritual talk” that was “not political in nature.”
The mosque said he had received clearance to enter the UK for the Home Office, and that Finsbury Park Mosque had not sponsored his visa to gain entry into the country.
Thank you for helping to make Jewish News the leading source of news and opinion for the UK Jewish community. Today we're asking for your invaluable help to continue putting our community first in everything we do.
For as little as £5 a month you can help sustain the vital work we do in celebrating and standing up for Jewish life in Britain.
Jewish News holds our community together and keeps us connected. Like a synagogue, it’s where people turn to feel part of something bigger. It also proudly shows the rest of Britain the vibrancy and rich culture of modern Jewish life.
You can make a quick and easy one-off or monthly contribution of £5, £10, £20 or any other sum you’re comfortable with.
100% of your donation will help us continue celebrating our community, in all its dynamic diversity...
Engaging
Being a community platform means so much more than producing a newspaper and website. One of our proudest roles is media partnering with our invaluable charities to amplify the outstanding work they do to help us all.
Celebrating
There’s no shortage of oys in the world but Jewish News takes every opportunity to celebrate the joys too, through projects like Night of Heroes, 40 Under 40 and other compelling countdowns that make the community kvell with pride.
Pioneering
In the first collaboration between media outlets from different faiths, Jewish News worked with British Muslim TV and Church Times to produce a list of young activists leading the way on interfaith understanding.
Campaigning
Royal Mail issued a stamp honouring Holocaust hero Sir Nicholas Winton after a Jewish News campaign attracted more than 100,000 backers. Jewish Newsalso produces special editions of the paper highlighting pressing issues including mental health and Holocaust remembrance.
Easy access
In an age when news is readily accessible, Jewish News provides high-quality content free online and offline, removing any financial barriers to connecting people.
Voice of our community to wider society
The Jewish News team regularly appears on TV, radio and on the pages of the national press to comment on stories about the Jewish community. Easy access to the paper on the streets of London also means Jewish News provides an invaluable window into the community for the country at large.
We hope you agree all this is worth preserving.
