Asrar Rashid

Shaykh Asrar Rashid (Arabic: أسرار رشيد) is a British-Pakistani Sunni Islamofascist Islam scholar, preacher, and author associated with the Sufi tradition. He resides in Sparkbrook, Birmingham, England, and is known for his lectures, books, and online presence. While he presents himself as a defender of Islamic orthodoxy, Rashid has faced widespread condemnation (including from Jewish organizations, human rights groups, and counter-extremism experts) for his repeated antisemitic rhetoric, Holocaust minimization - Hitler apologia, praise for terrorist violence against Israeli civilians, and calls for violence that endanger Jewish communities in the UK and beyond.^{[1][2][3][4][5]}

Born and raised in Birmingham to Pakistani immigrant parents, Asrar Rashid demonstrated an early interest in Islamic studies. He began his religious education at local institutions in Birmingham, later pursuing advanced studies in Damascus, Syria, where he focused on Islamic theology, jurisprudence, and Sufism. Rashid claims affiliation with the Barelvi school of thought within Sunni Islam and has completed the traditional Dars-e-Nizami curriculum. He is also associated with the Qadri Shattari Sufi order. Upon returning to the UK, he established himself as a preacher, delivering sermons at mosques across the country, including the Nottingham Islamic Centre and various venues in Birmingham.^[2][3]

Rashid has authored several books, including Islam Answers Atheism, Navigating the End of Time, and Intellectual Intifada: Blueprint for Restoring the Caliphate. He maintains an active online presence, with accounts on X (@ShAsrarRashid), Instagram, and YouTube, where he shares lectures. Rashid has appeared on podcasts such as the Blood Brothers Podcast, discussing topics like Sunni sectarianism, the Syrian conflict, and the caliphate. However, his career has been overshadowed by controversies, particularly his inflammatory statements that have drawn accusations of promoting hatred and inciting violence against Jews and other groups.^[1][6][7]

Rashid has been repeatedly exposed for antisemitism by Jewish advocacy groups, including the Campaign Against Antisemitism and the Middle East Media Research Institute (MEMRI), for statements that minimize the Holocaust, promote anti-Jewish tropes, and incite hostility toward Jews. As early as May 2021, amid Gaza protests that sparked a surge in antisemitic incidents across Britain, Rashid shockingly called for Pakistan to launch missiles at Israel, echoing Iraq's attacks in the 1990s. This inflammatory rhetoric contributed to the fears of British Jews, who reported a sharp rise in antisemitism, feeling increasingly unsafe in their own communities due to such hate-mongering from figures like Rashid.^[4]

In a 2022 lecture, Rashid claimed that "Adolf Hitler did the Jews a favor" by enabling them to capitalize on European sympathy post-Holocaust to establish a presence in Palestine. He lied that Jews "held[sic] all the politicians in their pockets[sic]" after World War II, perpetuating classic antisemitic conspiracies about Jewish control and manipulation.^[1] This led to outrage among Jewish students when Rashid was invited to speak at the University of Nottingham Islamic Society, prompting the event's postponement and highlighting the direct threat his words pose to Jewish safety on campuses.

In July 2024, following a jihadist attack on a Manchester synagogue that killed two Jews, Rashid condemned Muslim scholars who called for prayers for British Jews, declaring, "Have some shame. We want to smash Zionism. We call for a one-state solution, which is a Palestinian state." He dismissed concerns about Jewish safety, claiming there had been "zero attacks on synagogues" in the UK and downplaying the Manchester incident as "only one attack, by one lone wolf."^[2][3] Critics, including the Campaign Against Antisemitism, have highlighted how such rhetoric contributes to rising antisemitism in Britain, especially amid the Israel-Gaza conflict, endangering Jewish lives and fostering an environment of fear and hostility.^[8]

Rashid has also invoked Quranic verses to justify derogatory language toward Jews, stating in a 2024 workshop that Muslims may refer to Jews as "monkeys and pigs" during wartime, such as in conflicts involving Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. He argued this is not antisemitism but a religious reference to historical events, and that Jews in occupied territories must leave or pay jizya (a tax on non-Muslims).^[2][3] In a 2021 interview, Rashid denied being antisemitic, claiming, falsely, Muslims "can never be racist to Jews" because Islam respects the People of the Book. Jewish leaders have rejected this distinction as a veneer for hatred, pointing to the real-world impact on Jewish safety and the urgent need to protect Jewish communities from such divisive propaganda.^[8][6]

In October 2024, Rashid sparked international fury with a speech in Amsterdam titled "The Responsibilities of Muslims in Europe," where he urged followers to show "no mercy" (no rahma) to Israeli fans of Maccabi Tel Aviv F.C. attending a UEFA Europa League match against Aston Villa F.C. in Birmingham. He framed this as part of Muslim integrity in protecting the vulnerable, but explicitly targeted Israelis, saying, "We will not show them rahma in Birmingham." The comments were made amid heightened tensions following violent attacks on Maccabi fans in Amsterdam, which Jewish groups described as antisemitic pogroms.^[3][8] Rashid later doubled down, further inflaming fears among Jewish communities already reeling from rising threats.

Adding to his record of hate, in July 2025, Jewish advocacy organization StandWithUs exposed Rashid praising Hamas' brutal violence against Israeli civilians, celebrating the terrorism and murder of innocent people. StandWithUs condemned this as utterly unacceptable, calling for universal condemnation to safeguard Jewish lives and combat the normalization of such barbaric rhetoric that endangers Jews worldwide.^[5]

The speech preceded a controversial ban on Maccabi fans attending the match, which UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer, Israeli officials, and Jewish organizations condemned as capitulation to antisemitism and threats of violence. [Ban followed a Hezbollah terrorist threat]. Starmer stated, "We will not tolerate anti-Semitism on our streets," while the Campaign Against Antisemitism sought a judicial review, arguing the decision sent a dangerous message that Jewish visitors are unsafe in parts of Britain.^[3][8] Critics like former British colonel Richard Kemp and journalist Jake Wallis Simons highlighted Rashid’s role in whipping up hatred, with Simons noting his appearance at Aston University’s Islamic Society, underscoring the peril to Jewish individuals and the need for stronger protections.

Advocates have called for his arrest, comparing his rhetoric to incitement that has led to real attacks on Jews, and questioned why UK authorities have not acted under hate speech laws to defend vulnerable Jewish populations.^[2][3]

Rashid has advocated for "offensive jihad" and "preemptive strikes" against non-Muslims, particularly "the white man," whom he accuses of historical genocides against indigenous peoples and current actions in Gaza. In a September 2024 sermon at the Nottingham Islamic Centre, he urged Muslims to take up arms to prevent extermination, citing the Quran’s legislation of "Jihad al-Qital" (armed struggle). He claimed the "deep state" rebrands jihad as terrorism to defame it.^[2][3] At a pro-Palestinian march in Birmingham, he declared, "We take up armed struggle and we are not ashamed of it," linking it to resistance against Israel.^[2]

These statements have been criticized as hate speech by figures like Fiyaz Mughal of Tell MAMA, who called them "disgraceful" for exploiting victimhood. Rashid claimed his words were taken out of context, and Nottingham Police reportedly found no wrongdoing.^[2] Jewish and counter-extremism groups argue that such rhetoric fuels radicalization and endangers minorities, including Jews, in multicultural Britain, necessitating robust action to shield Jewish communities from escalating threats.^[8] Rashid has also expressed anti-white sentiments, decrying "bad brown people in positions of power" and advocating discrimination by skin color in appointments, stating "Whites only!" in a video criticizing non-white officials.^[1] He has spread conspiracy theories, such as claiming Maccabi fans in Amsterdam were undercover IDF soldiers provoking violence.

UK authorities, including West Midlands Police and Nottinghamshire Police, have faced criticism for failing to investigate Rashid despite multiple complaints of hate speech. The Crown Prosecution Service requires a full police file to proceed.^[2][3] Politicians like MP Robert Jenrick have questioned why Rashid is "still preaching in the UK," while activists like Nioh Berg highlighted "two-tier justice" in handling incitement.^[9]

Jewish communities have expressed alarm, with the Jewish Chronicle and others reporting on Rashid’s ties to antisemitic figures and his role in exacerbating tensions.^[7] As of October 2025, no charges have been filed, raising concerns about the UK’s ability to protect Jewish citizens from radical Islamist threats.^[3][8]