‘Help me fight the far-right’: Muslim councillor prepares legal retribution for Islamophobes

“This campaign is about more than just covering legal costs; it’s about holding those who spread hate and misinformation accountable. It’s about fighting back against the fascism tactics of using fake news to incite violence and promote racism against British Muslims and people from diverse backgrounds. Racism and hate cannot be normalised.

“Today, it’s Mothin under attack — tomorrow, it could be anyone. If these extremists have their way, no one in the UK will feel safe to live openly as who they are.”

Ali, who was elected to the Gipton and Harehills ward, Leeds, back in May, has come under regular attack over his Islamic faith and pro-Palestine views.

Immediately after his election victory, Ali was pressured into apologising following Islamic and pro-Palestine comments he made in both his victory speech and other addresses during his election campaign.

Mr Ali went viral for dedicating his local election success a “win for the people of Gaza.”

Ali was also filmed chanting “Allah HuAkbar”, adding “I started this campaign three years ago and Allah sent his angels to assist me.”

The right-wing backlash that followed forced Ali into hiding over fears for his family’s safety.

Mothin Ali informed 5Pillars that police protection was required over fears for his family’s safety.

Similarly, his remarks prompted calls from pro-Israel factions in Leeds for him to be suspended by the Green Party.

Leeds unrest

In July, Mr Ali again became the centre of a social media fire storm.

Violence erupted in Harehill, Leeds, after a social care dispute broke out into full blown riots involving members of the Romani community.

As police and locals battled for control of the streets, opportunistic right-wing social media accounts began peddling Islamophobic fake news claiming the rioters were Muslim.

Seeing the escalating unrest, Councillor Ali sprung into action, risking his life attempting to confront rioters, douse fires and assist the police in calming tensions.

Footage of Ali’s actions ended up on social media but right-wing accounts took the images and claimed that Ali was taking part in the rioting instead of helping.

As events in Leeds eventually calmed, the mainstream media began reporting on the councillor’s heroic actions, however, many of the X posts smearing Mr Ali as a rioter have never been deleted.

The fundraiser lists several prominent examples from accounts including infamous Islamophobe Steven Yaxley-Lennon (Tommy Robinson).

Yaxley-Lennon, who goes by his fabricated name  Tommy Robinson, is considered by many to be a figure head of the far-right in British politics and someone who peddles Islamophobic propaganda online.

In August, England was gripped by far-right riots which spread across the country after fake news about the Stockport stabbing attack were peddled online by right-wing accounts.

Mobs of thugs rampaged in towns and cities targeting mosques, hotels (where they believed illegal migrants were held up) and streets with high population of Muslim residents.

The racist violence sparked a major government campaign to arrest and jail offenders, some of whom had attacked property or members of the police.

Mothin Ali considers his legal battle a key step in confronting the outpouring of Islamophobia in the UK.

“The Far-Right’s use of Islamophobia to spread fear and incite violence has had serious consequences. We’ve seen a surge in hate across England, with Elon Musk, owner of Twitter/X, justifying the violence, and fake news sparking riots that led to over 500 arrests.”

Historic pro-Palestine motion

In September, the Green Party voted to recognise Israel’s actions in Gaza as a genocide at their annual party conference, becoming the first major British political party to do so.

Mothin Ali played a role in supporting the motion and ensuring it was passed.

Speaking to the conference ahead of the vote, Councillor Ali issued a emotional plea.

“We are going to call it out for what it is. We are going to call it a genocide because if we don’t use the right terminology and call it apartheid then we will never identify that problem and deal with that problem. So I urge you conference, stand with us. Stand with the people of Palestine. We can’t allow this genocide to continue any longer!”

After the motion victory, Ali took to X saying in a post: ”We made history today, the first UK political party to officially recognise what’s happening in Gaza as Genocide, what’s happening in Palestine as Apartheid and continued support for BDS.

“We made sure the party followed through on it’s commitment made during the elections.”

The death toll in Gaza from the ongoing Israeli genocidal aggression has exceeded 41,272, according to recent sources.

The assault on Gaza, which began following October 7, 2023, has also left at some 95,551 injured.