Farage Criticised for Comments on Muslim Public Prayer in UK
Muslim leaders have strongly condemned Nigel Farage’s call to prohibit public prayer by Muslims in the UK, describing it as bigoted and warning of a "growing tide of hate." The remarks followed comments by Conservative leader Kemi Badenoch, who questioned whether such events align "within the norms of British culture."
Farage made these statements during the launch of Reform UK’s manifesto ahead of the Scottish parliament elections. He referred to a recent event in London’s Trafalgar Square, where hundreds of Muslims and people of other faiths gathered to pray together before celebrating Eid, as a "wake up call and a warning to everybody."
The event, organised by the Ramadan Tent Project and attended by London Mayor Sadiq Khan, was described by Farage as "an open, deliberate, wilful attempt, not at the private observance of a different religion, but the attempt to overtake, intimidate and dominate our way of life." This gathering has taken place in Trafalgar Square five times previously without incident or controversy.
When asked by a reporter whether he would support banning such events in the future, Farage responded:
"We wouldn’t want to stop individuals praying but mass prayer is banned in many Muslim countries in the Middle East itself. So, yes, we have to stop this kind of mass demonstration, provocative demonstration, in historic British sites."
It is important to note that restrictions on public prayer vary across countries and may be influenced by political, religious tensions, or public safety concerns.
Responses from Political and Community Leaders
Humza Yousaf, former First Minister and SNP MSP, criticised Farage’s stance, stating:
"Nigel Farage seems to have no issues with Christian prayer, Hannukah, Vaisakhi or Diwali all being celebrated in Trafalgar Square. He only has a problem with Muslims praying. There is a word for that, bigotry."
Yousaf, the UK’s first Muslim First Minister, further expressed disappointment at the mainstreaming of such rhetoric by figures like Nick Timothy MP, a member of His Majesty’s opposition.
Labour’s shadow justice secretary also condemned Timothy’s claims that Islamic prayers in public were intimidating and unBritish, with Labour accusing the Conservatives of embracing "the gutter politics of prejudice." When questioned about Badenoch’s views on the separation of prayers by gender at the event, she stated:
"This debate which Nick is having is not about freedom of religion. It is about how religion is expressed in a shared public space, and whether those expressions fit within the norms of a British culture."
Scottish Labour leader Anas Sarwar described Farage’s comments as an example of his "toxic, poisonous politics," adding:
"The Farage circus came to town, and once again, he demonstrated that he is a cynical chancer who wants to divide us. Reform are just failed Tories and offer Scotland nothing."
Recent opinion polls have shown Reform UK neck and neck or ahead of Scottish Labour, though an Ipsos Scottish Political Pulse survey released on Thursday indicated a decline in their popularity.
Community Leaders Speak Out Against Proposed Ban
Shaista Gohir, crossbench peer and leader of the Muslim Women’s Network UK, questioned the rationale behind banning such gatherings when they are conducted responsibly:
"When these gatherings are conducted responsibly – without obstructing roads, causing disruption, and with proper safety measures – why then do some politicians seek to ban them? The answer is simple: they object to the sight of them. This reflects a deep-seated hatred toward Muslims. No other faith communities face comparable scrutiny or antagonism from these politicians in the way Muslims do."
Akeela Ahmed, chief executive of the British Muslim Trust, cautioned against politicising British Muslims, stating:
"Words have consequences – and those who genuinely believe in the British values of tolerance, equality under the law and freedom of religion must not allow those values to be cast aside in attempt to marginalise British muslims."
Reform UK’s Scottish Election Campaign and Manifesto
Farage addressed an audience of approximately 500 supporters at a country club near Glasgow alongside Malcolm Offord, Reform UK’s Scotland leader, as they introduced candidates for the upcoming Holyrood elections in May. Reform UK plans to field candidates in all Scottish parliamentary seats.
Launching a manifesto pledging to "make Scotland the most successful part of the UK," Offord criticised the current tax system, stating:
"Scots were being forced to pay the highest taxes anywhere in the UK."
He reiterated a commitment to abolish Scotland’s six-band income tax system, which imposes significantly higher rates on top earners.
Offord also highlighted concerns about social cohesion in Glasgow, the UK’s largest asylum dispersal area after London, asserting:
"These concerns are not something we are making up."
The manifesto includes proposals to restrict eligibility for homelessness support in Glasgow and to eliminate all SNP government targets, subsidies, and quangos related to net zero initiatives.
