A San Diego imam whose UK entry rights were recently revoked delivered a controversial lecture in Birmingham, declaring that Europe, America and Russia would become Muslim countries and that believers should remain “unapologetic” and “uncompromising” in their faith.
Uthman ibn Farooq, imam of Masjid Al Ribat Al Islami in San Diego, made the statements during a lecture in Birmingham that was posted on his mosque’s YouTube channel on 28 May 2025. The video emerged just six days after UK Home Secretary Yvette Cooper revoked his entry rights to Britain on 22 May, citing risks to “public safety and social cohesion.”
In the Birmingham lecture, ibn Farooq told his audience that “every EDL nightmare of a Muslim Europe will come true,” referring to the English Defence League, a far-right activist group. He declared that the future belonged to Muslims and that Islamic faith would spread globally regardless of opposition.
“They can be as mad as they want, I don’t care. America will be a Muslim country, Russia will be a Muslim country, Islam will enter every house,” ibn Farooq stated during the lecture. He urged his listeners to be part of this change through dawah, the practice of inviting people to Islam.
Calls for Unwavering Religious Commitment
The San Diego imam emphasised that Muslims should never apologise for their faith or compromise their religious principles. He called on his audience to stand firm in their beliefs and practices without watering down their religion.
“We have to be part of those ghuraba who stand firm on our aqidah, on our practice, on our deen, and never, ever apologise. We’re unapologetic. Never, ever compromise. We’re uncompromising,” ibn Farooq declared. He added that believers should never “water down this religion,” coining the term “unwatering” to emphasise his point.
The imam concluded his remarks with a prayer, asking Allah to grant his listeners “a life upon the deen, and a death upon the deen,” and to accept them as martyrs. The audience responded with “Ameen” to his invocation.
The timing of the lecture raises questions about how ibn Farooq was able to deliver it in Birmingham after the Home Secretary’s decision to bar him from entering the UK. The revocation of entry rights typically prevents individuals from entering or remaining in the country when authorities determine they pose risks to public order or security.
Background and Context
Masjid Al Ribat Al Islami, where ibn Farooq serves as imam, is located in San Diego, California. The mosque’s YouTube channel, where the controversial lecture was posted, serves as a platform for sharing religious content and lectures with their community and broader online audience.
The English Defence League, which ibn Farooq referenced in his remarks, is a far-right organisation that has staged protests against what it perceives as the spread of Islamic extremism in the UK. The group has been associated with anti-Muslim demonstrations and has faced criticism for promoting division within British communities.
The Home Secretary’s decision to revoke ibn Farooq’s entry rights represents one of several measures UK authorities have taken in recent years to address concerns about individuals whose presence might undermine social cohesion or public safety. Such decisions are typically made after assessment by security services and immigration officials.
The posting of the lecture video on 28 May, despite the entry ban issued on 22 May, suggests either that the lecture was delivered before the ban took effect, or that there may be questions about the enforcement of the Home Secretary’s order. The Home Office has not yet commented on the specific circumstances surrounding the timing of the lecture and the entry ban.
Religious leaders and community organisations have not yet issued public responses to ibn Farooq’s statements. The controversial nature of his declarations about Muslim demographic expansion and his calls for uncompromising religious adherence are likely to generate debate within both Muslim communities and broader British society about religious expression, integration, and social cohesion.
The incident occurs against a backdrop of ongoing discussions in the UK about balancing religious freedom with concerns about extremism and social harmony. Authorities continue to grapple with identifying and responding to rhetoric that may contribute to community tensions whilst respecting legitimate religious expression and freedom of speech.
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