A Muslim Green Party councillor in Leeds has issued a formal apology for any "upset caused" following a wave of intense right-wing and political backlash sparked by his viral local election victory speech, during which he thanked Allah and chanted "Allahu Akbar."
Mothin Ali, a 42-year-old accountant and father-of-three, secured his seat representing the Gipton and Harehills ward on May 3 after pulling in more than 3,000 votes. As the election results were announced, Mr Ali delivered an impassioned speech celebrating his triumph, expressing gratitude to his faith, and dedicating his political victory directly to the people of Palestine.
Captured on video, his speech struck a chord with his supporters, many of whom were local Muslims who cheered loudly as he chanted "Allahu Akbar!" and proclaimed that the community would not be silenced on the issue of Gaza. However, the short video clip quickly spread across social media platforms, triggering a fierce and sustained political firestorm involving right-wing commentators, media personalities, and local political groups.
In the wake of the uproar, which included formal complaints, demands for suspension, and widespread online hostility, Mr Ali released a comprehensive statement via the official Leeds Green Party website to address the controversy, clarify his position, and express regret over the division caused by the discourse.
"I am sorry for any upset my comments caused about the Gaza conflict. That was not my intention," Mr Ali said in his statement. "Like many across the world I have been deeply impacted by the dreadful conflict currently underway in Gaza. The International Court of Justice said this conflict meets the case for plausible genocide."
Emphasizing his stance on the broader geopolitical landscape, Mr Ali added that he does not condone violence from any faction, asserting that bloodshed invariably generates further escalation. He noted that he has consistently advocated for an immediate, permanent ceasefire and the unconditional release of all hostages. Furthermore, he expressed a desire to build bridges locally, stating that he hopes to collaborate with a broad coalition—including members of both Jewish and Muslim Green networks—to discuss constructive ways to channel their shared passion toward bringing a peaceful end to the conflict.
Addressing the specific controversy surrounding his use of traditional Islamic phrases during his victory celebration, Mr Ali maintained that it is entirely customary for practicing Muslims to invoke the phrase "Allahu Akbar" as an expression of profound gratitude and spiritual celebration. He contended that attempts by critics to misrepresent or demonize this religious expression reflected underlying Islamophobia.
While the immediate catalyst for the controversy was the election night footage, the backlash quickly widened to encompass historical social media posts and public commentary made by Mr Ali following the outbreak of the current Israel-Hamas conflict. A pro-Israel news site subsequently published an article highlighting resurfaced statements and tweets made by the councillor around October 7, further intensifying the pressure on him and the Green Party leadership.
According to those resurfaced reports, Mr Ali shared a post on X (formerly Twitter) on October 7 asserting that "white supremacist European settler colonialism must end." In supplementary video footage shared online during the same period, the accountant argued that Israel would utilize the pretext of military actions by Hamas to launch severe military offensives against the Gaza Strip.
In those video remarks, Mr Ali claimed that individuals possessed a right to resist occupation, stating that populations subjected to foreign control are entitled to fight back. He remarked that the situation represented one of the final remnants of European colonialism globally, alleging that accusations of antisemitism are frequently weaponized to shield Israeli policies from legitimate criticism. He further argued that the right to self-determination and freedom from occupation applies universally, extending equally to Arab and Muslim populations.
The publication of these historical remarks, combined with his high-profile election victory speech, provoked a sharp reaction from political figures, media commentators, and community organizations across the United Kingdom.
Prominent media voices launched public condemnations of the councillor’s conduct. Appearing on Talk TV, journalist Trevor Kavanagh criticized the victory speech during a broadcast, describing it as an unpleasant experience to witness someone loudly invoking religious phrases in a political context, and characterizing the incident as a concerning development for British democratic norms.
Similarly, political figure Nigel Farage took to social media to voice his disapproval, writing on X that the democratic processes of English towns and cities were increasingly being influenced by foreign conflicts, describing the situation as a political mess.
Local community organizations also intervened. The Leeds Jewish Representative Council submitted a formal, detailed letter to the national and regional leadership of the Green Party, calling for Mr Ali’s immediate suspension. The council argued that his acceptance speech and subsequent rhetoric represented the culmination of a documented pattern of political views that caused profound anxiety and concern within the regional Jewish community.
In response to the mounting pressure and formal complaints, the Green Party initiated an internal investigation into Mr Ali’s conduct. Facing a barrage of criticism, online abuse, and hostile commentary, Mr Ali temporarily deactivated his primary X account and restricted direct messaging features across his remaining social media profiles.
Despite the intense scrutiny and the subsequent fallout, Mr Ali’s supporters have defended his right to free speech and his advocacy for Palestinian human rights, arguing that local politicians should be permitted to voice international solidarity without facing disproportionate retribution. Mr Ali himself noted that he has endured a significant volume of hate and hostility since the video of his election win went viral online.
As the internal Green Party review proceeds, Mr Ali’s statement serves as his primary effort to defuse the political tension, reassure concerned constituents, and pivot toward local governance and interfaith dialogue.