London Protester Ignites Outrage by Leading Anti-Israel Chants at Al-Quds Demonstration

A fundraiser linked to the Islamic Human Rights Commission (IHRC), which organises London’s Al-Quds Day events, has drawn fresh criticism after leading provocative chants at a recent protest.

Raza Kazim, a trustee of the IHRC trust and a maths lecturer at Middlesex University, was filmed shouting slogans including “death to the IDF” and “Khamenei makes us proud” during a demonstration outside the US embassy last Saturday.

The protest followed the killing of Iran’s supreme leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, in an Israeli drone strike.

Footage shows Kazim energising the crowd with chants praising Khamenei, while also explicitly targeting the Israeli Defence Forces.

The slogans have been widely condemned, with UK Labour leader Sir Keir Starmer previously labelling similar language as hate speech.

Government Steps In to Limit March

This week, the Home Secretary intervened to ban the planned Al-Quds Day march through central London, citing risks of “serious disorder.”

However, authorities confirmed that a static protest can still proceed on Sunday.

Police anticipate a large turnout, potentially exceeding 12,000 participants, including counter-protesters.

Measures to prevent clashes include using the River Thames as a physical barrier, deploying at least a thousand officers from the Metropolitan Police and other forces, and closing Lambeth Bridge to public access.

Met Deputy Assistant Commissioner Ade Adelekan emphasised that while the police cannot guarantee total prevention of disorder, the measures are designed to allow lawful protest while maintaining public safety.

Connections Between IHRC and Iranian Regime Supporters

Kazim is a trustee of the IHRC trust, which funds the IHRC.

The IHRC has been 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.”

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The charity insists it is separate from the IHRC trust, though both entities share an address and contact details.

Kazim defended his actions, calling his chants “a creative and forceful expression calling for the dismantling of a genocidal military institution responsible for terrorising, killing, raping, and torturing Palestinians.”

Former Government extremism adviser Lord Walney described these statements as “deeply disturbing” and highlighted the troubling links between regime supporters and charities.

Other IHRC figures have also openly praised Khamenei.

Co-founder and chair Massoud Shadjareh previously recalled presenting an IHRC report on Islamophobia to the Iranian leader, describing Khamenei as “listening attentively” and offering guidance to preserve Muslim confidence amid criticism from Western governments and media.

IHRC spokesman Faisal Bodi echoed these sentiments, calling Khamenei a man of “principle and integrity” and praising his support for Palestine.

Al-Quds Day: History and Controversy

Al-Quds Day, which translates to “Jerusalem Day,” was established by Ayatollah Ruhollah Khomeini after Iran’s 1979 revolution.

Intended as a day of solidarity with Palestinians and opposition to Israel, the London march has been held for more than 40 years and is organised by the UK Al-Quds Committee through the IHRC.

While the event is marketed as a pro-Palestinian demonstration, it has repeatedly been criticised as a hate march, with previous editions resulting in arrests for anti-Semitic hate speech and support for terrorist organisations.

Impact and Consequences

Kazim’s public chanting of slogans targeting Israel and praising Khamenei has intensified scrutiny of the IHRC and its connections to Iran.

The government’s decision to ban the march—but allow a static protest—highlights the limitations of public order laws in the UK.

Police will face a challenging task managing large crowds while preventing potential violence or hate crimes.

What’s Next?

The static protest will take place between Vauxhall and Lambeth bridges from 1 pm to 3 pm.

Counter-protesters are permitted to gather on the Millbank side of the Thames.

Police are prepared to escalate resources if necessary, and any individual crossing the line into hate speech or violence may face arrest.

Authorities will also monitor the wider impact of this event on London communities, particularly Jewish neighbourhoods, which are being patrolled as part of preventative measures.

Summary

Raza Kazim, a key figure in organising London’s Al-Quds Day, has drawn widespread criticism for chanting pro-Khamenei and anti-Israel slogans at a recent protest.

The government has banned the traditional march due to security concerns, but a static demonstration will proceed under heavy police supervision.

The event has revived debate about the IHRC’s links to the Iranian regime and the challenges of policing politically charged protests in the UK.

Bulleted Takeaways

• Raza Kazim, IHRC trustee, led chants praising Khamenei and condemning the Israeli Defence Forces.
• The Home Secretary banned the planned Al-Quds Day march in London due to risk of disorder.
• A static protest will go ahead with strict police oversight and thousands of officers deployed.
• IHRC has historic ties to Iran and has praised Khamenei publicly, raising concerns about extremist links.
• Al-Quds Day has a 40+ year history in London, marketed as a pro-Palestinian event but criticised for anti-Semitic content.