UK could be hit by wave of homegrown jihadis if British muslims are called antisemitic after Hamas terror attack on Israel, scholar warns

Branding British Muslims anti-Semites in the wake of October 7 could lead to an increase in Islamist extremism, according to an Islamic scholar.

Dr. Mohammad bin Abdulkarim Al-Issa, Secretary General of The Muslim World League, said 'unwarranted suspicion' of Islam could drive moderate followers of the religion to form the hardline views that lead to terrorism.

He also warned against the rise of anti-Semitism, after vile chants were reported at several pro-Gaza protests across the country.

In a chilling assessment, Dr. Al-Issa - who is holding private meetings with politicians and Jewish community representatives during a UK visit - said, 'We fear the rise of both anti-Semitism and Islamophobia and warn against pushing moderate Muslims towards political Islam and extremism, which could happen if they are repeatedly described as anti-Semites.

'We must encourage the moderate Islam of the vast majority of Muslims in the United Kingdom, who live here peacefully and contribute to its economy and prosperity.'

Dr Al-Issa's comments followed claims from Michael Gove that Jews felt unsafe in London because of anti-semitic chants at pro-Palestine protests.

Gove, who twice ran to lead the Conservatives, was mobbed by a hostile crowd of pro-Palestinian protesters at London's Victoria station in November.

He said afterwards: 'What I worry about is that if you're a 17-year-old Jewish teenager, you think 'I can't go into London, in my own city'.'

Gove was referring to some Jews claiming to be fearful about going into central London on Saturdays due to the anti-Semitic nature of some placards brandished by crowds, some of whom were heard chanting 'From the River to the Sea'.

Those who expressed such fears include former Justice Minister Lord Wolfson, who said his daughter had been left 'wondering whether it was safe to go on the Tube.'

At the same time, recorded incidents of anti-Semitism have soared across the country since the start of the Israel-Hamas conflict.

In an effort to counter this, Dr Al-Issa's peacekeeping mission to the UK will see him call for Muslims to invite Jews to Mosques across the country, as the capital continues to face weekly protests on Gaza, often separated from counter-protests by police.

Dr Al-Issa - who led a delegation of religious leaders to Auschwitz in 2020 - condemned extremist chants and speeches and claimed that they serve violent agendas.

Dr Al-Issa said: 'The extremist minority who use this conflict to sow hatred between nations and peoples, especially hostility to Islam and anti-Semitism, must be isolated.'

'Spreading hate messages in any way only strengthens the arguments of extremists on all sides, who are using this conflict to achieve their goals. What is happening in Gaza is the responsibility of the Israeli Government, not all Jewish people.'

The Muslim World League Mosque and offices in north London welcomed Jewish representatives at an event to mark the end of Eid last week.

Dr Al-Issa will give a keynote speech at the Policy Exchange think tank in Westminster on Monday.