Iran-linked Quds Day march banned in London
Britain banned the annual Quds Day march planned for Sunday in London after authorities cited concerns of serious public disorder, with the event drawing criticism over support voiced by its organizers for Iran’s late Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei.
Home Secretary Shabana Mahmood approved the Metropolitan Police request for a ban, saying the scale of the planned march and multiple counter-protests, against the backdrop of the Middle East conflict, made the move necessary, British media reported.
The annual Quds Day event has long been controversial in Britain because of accusations of pro-Islamic Republic messaging and support for extremist groups.
The term Quds Day was first coined in Iran immediately after the 1979 Revolution.
It gained significance after Ruhollah Khomeini, the founder of Iran’s Islamic Republic, called on Muslims everywhere to mark the day by holding rallies against Israel.
