UK Shadow Justice Minister Nick Timothy criticized a large-scale Arbaeen procession held in central London, alleging that open support for the Iranian regime was demonstrated at the event.
On Sunday, thousands of people took part in the Arbaeen Procession in London. According to organizers, the event was intended as a peaceful representation of traditional Arbaeen rituals held in the Iraqi city of Karbala to commemorate the death of Hussein ibn Ali, the grandson of the Prophet Muhammad, in the Battle of Karbala.
However, footage circulating from the event shows some participants carrying Iranian flags as well as portraits of Ayatollah Ali Khamenei. In one video, one participant was spotted wearing a keffiyeh depicting Iran's first Supreme Leader Ruhollah Khomeini, Ali Khamenei, and Mojtaba Khamenei, named as his possible successor.
Other footage circulating on social media shows men and women standing in separate sections during mass prayers near London's Marble Arch.
In a comment posted on the X social network, Timothy sharply criticized the event. According to him, the scenes in central London resembled Tehran. The shadow justice minister claimed that some participants demonstrated open support for the Iranian regime.
Timothy also criticized men and women praying separately near Marble Arch, calling it an 'act of dominance.'
The British politician had previously stated that legal measures against expressions supporting terrorism and terrorist organizations in the country were insufficient.
His position gained further relevance following a decision regarding London-based Shia preacher Sayed Hossein Makke. Counter-terrorism police decided not to press charges against Makke after investigating complaints received. According to Timothy, the preacher had previously publicly expressed mourning for members of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) and Hezbollah fighters, including a British individual who died fighting in the organization's ranks.
Timothy stressed that British law enforcement agencies should take a tougher stance against expressions supporting terrorism. He called for focusing attention on combating Islamist extremism.
However, the organizers of the march stated that the main purpose of the event was to commemorate a religious and cultural tradition and to hold a peaceful ceremony. No independent assessment was provided as to whether the symbols displayed by individual participants during the march reflected the position of all event participants.
Source: thejc.com
