A planned pro-Iran “Al-Quds” Day march in London has been cancelled following intervention by the UK Home Secretary, Shabana Mahmood. Authorities cited the risk of serious public disorder due to the scale of the protest and multiple counter-protests in the context of the ongoing conflict in Iran.
The ban, effective from March 11th to April 11th, was requested by Metropolitan Police Commissioner Mark Rowley.
Al-Quds Day rallies, held annually on the last Friday of Ramadan, have long been promoting antisemitism and division. Jewish groups and politicians across parties supported the ban after recent violence in Iran, including the suppression of mass protests.
Courts Minister Sarah Sackman called the event “thoroughly anti-British,” while Reform UK’s deputy leader Richard Tice stated “These hate marches have been filled with antisemitism & divisive incitement since October 7th. That makes them a breach.”
Meanwhile, pro-Khamenei groups are active within 27 British universities, where students’ Islamic societies, particularly Ahlul-Bayt Islamic Societies (ABSoc), have held protests and shared tributes mourning the death of Iran’s Supreme Leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei. Social media posts depict Khamenei as a “martyr” and advise students on coping with collective grief.
Events at the University of Manchester and in Birmingham included tense clashes and the burning of an Israeli flag, along with the chanting of “death to the IDF.”
