Biography:Mohammed Hijab

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Mohammed Hijab
Hijab as a speaker
Hijab in 2018
Born (1991-10-05) 5 October 1991 (age 34)
London, United Kingdom
Education
Known for
Personal
ReligionIslam
DenominationSunni
Template:Infobox youtuber
Websitemohammedhijab.com

Mohammed Hijab (born 5 October 1991) is a British Muslim Islamic preacher and YouTube influencer.

Early life

Mohammed Hegab, more commonly known as Mohammed Hijab, was born on 5 October 1991 in London, England, to Egyptian immigrant parents.[1][2] He has a BA in Politics from Queen Mary University of London , a BA in Arabic and Islamic Sciences from Al-Azhar University in Egypt,[3][4][5] an MA in Islamic Studies from SOAS University of London, an MA in History from Queen Mary University, and an MTh in Applied Theology from the University of Oxford.[6][7] He is currently pursuing a PhD in the Philosophy of Religion at the University of Birmingham.[8][9][10] Hijab is a co-founder of the Sapience Institute, where he works as a researcher and instructor as well as an Arabic instructor at Cambridge Arabic College.[11][12]

Hijab began uploading content to YouTube on 16 June 2015, starting with a video on Arabic pronunciation. In May 2018, his trainee teaching contract at Harris Academy Rainham in East London was terminated following his attendance at a freedom of speech rally in Whitehall.[1][13]

Public speaking

Mohammed Hijab presents an Islamic critique of liberal values at the Peace Conference Scandinavia 2018

Hijab is known for engaging in public discourse on religion, politics, and social issues through online platforms.[14] He has interviewed and debated well-known figures including academic Norman Finkelstein in 2020, linguist Noam Chomsky in 2021, psychologist Jordan Peterson in 2021 and 2022, and online personality Andrew Tate following his conversion to Islam in 2022.[15][16] With Peterson, the discussion focused on interfaith dialogue, interpretations of Islam, and the need for difficult conversations about religion. Hijab has also engaged in theological and philosophical debates with Christian apologists like David Wood in 2018, William Lane Craig in 2024, Ayaan Hirsi Ali in 2022, and at an Oxford Forum Debate in 2020.

Hijab's involvement in debates concerning the Israeli–Palestinian conflict has drawn media and political attention. In October 2023, he appeared on Piers Morgan Uncensored to discuss the ongoing Gaza war.[17][18] In November 2023, he debated U.S.-based Rabbi Shmuley Boteach, after which Hijab posted a tweet referencing an Israeli soldier in inflammatory terms, prompting Boteach to report the matter to U.S. authorities.[19][20]Watan reported what it called Hijab's “triumph” over Boteach.[21] Around the same time, Hijab told Anadolu Agency that Muslim leaders and populations must show greater resolve in addressing injustices in Gaza, highlighting Türkiye's potential role due to its geopolitical influence. He also accused the U.S. and EU of double standards regarding Israel's actions.[22] In 2024, Hijab had another confrontation on Piers Morgan's show, this time with Harvard Law professor Alan Dershowitz. The debate intensified when Hijab referred to Dershowitz as a "pervert" during the broadcast. Dershowitz responded by threatening legal action for defamation, while Hijab stated that he was ready to face a lawsuit..[16]

Some of Hijab's public appearances have faced backlash in Western countries over allegations of promoting extremist rhetoric. In March 2023, a speaking event at Trinity College Dublin, organized by Islamic student groups, was canceled due to security concerns. Critics, including student campaign groups and equality officers, objected to Hijab's association with Andrew Tate and his criticism of feminism and LGBTQ+ rights.[23][24] In Canada, Hijab was scheduled to speak at the "Reviving Roots" conference in Burlington in February 2025. Still, the event was canceled after local officials, including Mayor Marianne Meed Ward, voiced concerns over hate speech.[25][26] That same month, the Dutch government imposed an entry ban on Hijab ahead of his appearance at the Ramadan Expo in Utrecht, citing concerns about hate speech.[27][28] The ban was overturned by a court in The Hague due to a lack of evidence. During the event, Hijab celebrated the ruling and criticized what he viewed as Western attempts to suppress Islamic voices.[29] In Norway, parliamentarian Kjell Ingolf Ropstad raised concerns about Hijab's speech at an Islam Net event in Oslo, claiming it legitimized violence.[30] Hijab denied the accusations and responded with a detailed rebuttal, accusing Ropstad of defamation and misrepresenting Islamic teachings on martyrdom and suicide.[31]

Public demonstrations

Mohammed Hijab debating with people in Speakers' Corner Discussion

During a 2021 demonstration in the United Kingdom, Hijab "targeted Jewish passers-by, asking them for their views on Israel".[1]

2022 Leicester unrest

During the 2022 Leicester unrest, Hijab appeared in a widely circulated video addressing a group of Muslim men in a public area, saying: "[Hindus] believe in reincarnation, what a humiliation and pathetic thing for them to be reincarnated into. Some pathetic, weak, cowardly people like that. I’d rather be an animal, I’d rather be reincarnated as a grasshopper bruv, that’s the truth." The remarks were criticized as disrespectful.[32][1] He also condemned the presence of individuals he described as affiliated with Hindutva ideology, prompting chants from the crowd. Hijab later stated that he did not intend to mock Hindu beliefs and apologized if his comments were perceived that way.[1]He explained that his presence in Leicester, after traveling from London, was intended to help de-escalate tensions and discourage unlawful behavior, particularly among young people who follow his online content.[33][34] On September 18, he posted a photo on Instagram showing himself walking with masked individuals, captioned "Muslim patrol in Leicester," which drew further scrutiny.[1] That same month, The Spectator published an article alleging that Hijab exacerbated tensions, citing previous protests in which he had participated.[35] In August 2025 a British judge ruled that the article was substantially true.[36]

Advocacy for Palestinian Rights

In May 2021, Hijab participated in a pro-Palestinian demonstration that passed through Golders Green, a predominantly Jewish neighborhood in northwest London, where he addressed passersby and condemned violence against Palestinians, referencing the Holocaust in his speeches. His remarks were reported to the Metropolitan Police by the Community Security Trust and a local synagogue, raising concerns about antisemitism.[1]The following day, Hijab participated in a protest outside the Israeli embassy in Kensington, where he engaged with pro-Israeli demonstrators. During the event, he was recorded making remarks critical of Israel, referring to it as a "terrorist apartheid state," and making additional comments that drew criticism. He was also heard saying, "We don't care about death. We love death." The protest later moved to Speakers' Corner, where some participants were reported to have used antisemitic language. As tensions rose, Hijab was seen encouraging demonstrators to remain calm and refrain from violence, stating, "Do not provoke violence... If you're going to get excited, go to the gym."[1]

Reception

The Jewish Chronicle described him as a controversial anti-Israel campaigner and criticized the BBC for featuring him in its 2021 documentary on antisemitism.[37] The Campaign Against Antisemitism expressed disapproval, stating, 'It is astonishing that the BBC has tried to portray this man as some kind of champion of coexistence,' while The Jewish Chronicle accused the broadcaster of being arrogant.[37][38] In a separate editorial, the outlet asserted that the BBC had "chosen to lie and pick a fight with Jews."[39] Jewish News labeled a 2021 video in which Hijab urged Jewish individuals on Shabbat to condemn Israel's actions as a direct act of incitement.[40] The Campaign Against Antisemitism also compiled examples of his social media activity in a report titled Who is Mohammed Hijab?[41] The Jerusalem Post reported on his televised debate with Shmuley Boteach, claiming that Hijab made false antisemitic and anti-Zionist claims.[42] The advocacy group StandWithUs labeled him a 'notorious antisemite' and linked his involvement in the 2022 Leicester unrest to accusations of promoting Hinduphobia.[43]

News18 referred to Hijab as a "so-called public speaker" and questioned the contrast between his self-description and his online content, quoting his website while noting that videos circulating on social media reflect a different image.[44] Firstpost characterized him as someone known for holding extremist and antisemitic views.[45][46] OpIndia published a report accusing him of attempting to dismiss the seriousness of Muslim grooming gang cases in the United Kingdom.[47] Asian News International claimed that his past activities align with narratives associated with global jihadist movements.[48]

According to Aavad Hashmi, a Harvard University scholar of Islamic studies, Hijab belongs to a group of Muslim male influencers known as akh right bros, who position themselves against Western values and promote a version of Islam characterized by misogyny.[49][50]

Lawsuit

In December 2024, Hijab filed a defamation lawsuit against The Spectator and associate editor Douglas Murray, claiming the article falsely portrayed him as inciting unrest and causing reputational and emotional harm.[51][52][53] In August 2025, Hijab lost the defamation suit. The judge ruled that Murray's article was “substantially true”, that no "significant harm" was caused to Hijab, and that Hijab lied on significant issues.[36][54]

References

  1. ↑ 1.0 1.1 1.2 1.3 1.4 1.5 1.6 1.7 Sawer, Patrick (24 September 2022). "Islamist preacher accused of 'stirring up hatred' in Leicester". The Daily Telegraph. https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/2022/09/24/islamist-preacher-accused-stirring-hatred-leicester/. 
  2. ↑ Rayner, Gordon (2025-08-05). "Douglas Murray wins defamation claim brought by Muslim activist" (in en-GB). The Telegraph. ISSN 0307-1235. https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/2025/08/05/douglas-murray-spectator-defamation-mohammed-hegab-hindus/. 
  3. ↑ "Mohammed Hijab – Dawah-Groep" (in nl-NL). https://dawah-groep.nl/ramadanexpo/mohammed-hijab/. 
  4. ↑ Manhom. "محمد حجاب" (in ar). https://manhom.com/%D8%B4%D8%AE%D8%B5%D9%8A%D8%A7%D8%AA/%D9%85%D8%AD%D9%85%D8%AF-%D8%AD%D8%AC%D8%A7%D8%A8/. 
  5. ↑ "مقتطفات من بود كاست Mohammed Hijab" (in ar). 2024-10-22. https://azharegypt.edu.eg/?p=2582. 
  6. ↑ "Mohammed Hijab – Dawah-Groep" (in nl-NL). https://dawah-groep.nl/ramadanexpo/mohammed-hijab/. 
  7. ↑ "Mohammed Hijab" (in en-GB). https://www.albalaghacademy.org/ustaad/mohammed-hijab/. 
  8. ↑ "Members of Philosophy of Religion" (in en). https://www.birmingham.ac.uk/research/centres-institutes/philosophy-of-religion/members. 
  9. ↑ Salvatore, Leonardo (2022). "In Search of a Creator: Infinity and Existence in the Kalam Cosmological Argument". Aporia 32 (1): 31–43. https://philpapers.org/rec/SALISO-7. 
  10. ↑ Hart, Sulayman (2024-10-07). "Mohammed Hijab - The Muslim 500" (in en-US). https://themuslim500.com/profiles/hijab-mohammed/. 
  11. ↑ "Sapience Institute" (in en-US). https://learn.sapienceinstitute.org/user-public-account/6019/. 
  12. ↑ "Our Team" (in en). https://www.cambridgearabiccollege.org/our-team. 
  13. ↑ Coleman, Liam (2018-05-18). "Rainham teacher who said he would "fight" and "die" at freedom of speech rally leaves school". https://www.romfordrecorder.co.uk/news/21518618.rainham-teacher-said-fight-die-freedom-speech-rally-leaves-school/. 
  14. ↑ Schleifer, Abdallah, ed (2025) (in en). The Muslim 500: The World's 500 Most Influential Muslims, 2025. Amman 11195, Jordan: Royal Islamic Strategic Studies Centre. pp. 196. ISBN 978-9957-635-83-1. https://themuslim500.com/books/TheMuslim500-2025-lowres.pdf. Retrieved 1 June 2025. 
  15. ↑ "British-American Influencer Andrew Tate Converts To Islam" (in en). 29 October 2022. https://www.memri.org/tv/british-american-influencer-andrew-tate-converts-to-islam-elites-feminism-control-youth. 
  16. ↑ 16.0 16.1 Garfinkel, Imogen (10 October 2024). "Alan Dershowitz says he will sue Mohammed Hijab for calling him a 'pervert' on Piers Morgan show" (in en). The Jewish Chronicle. https://www.thejc.com/news/alan-dershowitz-says-he-will-sue-mohammed-hijab-for-calling-him-a-pervert-on-piers-morgan-show-gbx5gz9s. 
  17. ↑ "VIDEO: Piers Morgan slammed by Mohammed Hijab over Israel-Hamas war" (in en). The News International. 17 October 2023. https://www.thenews.com.pk/latest/1120118-video-piers-morgan-slammed-by-mohammed-hijab-over-israel-hamas-war. 
  18. ↑ Gabsi, Zouhir (2024). "Irony and hyperrealism in media discourses: examining the Israeli-Palestinian 'conflict'". Journal for Cultural Research 29 (3): 551–572. doi:10.1080/14797585.2024.2446177. ISSN 1479-7585. https://doi.org/10.1080/14797585.2024.2446177. 
  19. ↑ Frazer, Jenni (14 December 2023). "Top rabbi reports 'death threat' against his son to FBI" (in en-US). Jewish News. https://www.jewishnews.co.uk/top-rabbi-reports-death-threats-against-his-son-to-fbi/. 
  20. ↑ "'You're not a victim': Rabbi Shmuley and Mohammed Hijab clash over Gaza conflict". Sky News. 17 November 2023. https://www.skynews.com.au/opinion/piers-morgan/youre-not-a-victim-rabbi-shmuley-and-mohammed-hijab-clash-over-gaza-conflict/video/55888c685f63309e94ce2030f3379a89. 
  21. ↑ Al Ahmad, Khaled (18 November 2023). "Mohammed Hijab's triumph: Confrontation with Zionist Rabbi Shmouli Botiak on the Piers Morgan show". Watan. https://www.watanserb.com/en/2023/11/18/mohammed-hijabs-triumph-confrontation-with-zionist-rabbi-shmouli-botiak-on-the-piers-morgan-show/?amp=1. 
  22. ↑ Bir, Burak (21 November 2023). "'Bravery from Muslims for enforcement of justice key to resolving Israel-Palestine issue'". Anadolu Agency. https://www.aa.com.tr/en/europe/-bravery-from-muslims-for-enforcement-of-justice-key-to-resolving-israel-palestine-issue-/3060507. 
  23. ↑ Gleeson, Colin (2 March 2023). "Talk by controversial UK preacher at Trinity College cancelled over security fears" (in en). The Irish Times. https://www.irishtimes.com/ireland/education/2023/03/02/talk-by-controversial-uk-preacher-at-trinity-college-cancelled-over-security-fears/. 
  24. ↑ Wolfe, David; Kenny, Ellen; Conneely, Stephen (2 March 2023). "Speaker event featuring "homophobic and misogynistic" YouTube star called off due to security concerns" (in en). https://trinitynews.ie/2023/03/speaker-event-featuring-homophobic-and-misogynistic-youtube-star-called-off-due-to-security-concerns/. 
  25. ↑ Steve Pecar (18 February 2025). "Appearance by controversial Islamic activist at Ontario conference has been cancelled" (in en). https://www.insauga.com/appearance-by-controversial-islamic-activist-at-ontario-conference-has-been-cancelled/. 
  26. ↑ George, Joe Adam (5 February 2025). "Islamist Provocateur to Speak near Toronto". Middle East Forum. https://www.meforum.org/fwi/fwi-news-islamist-provocateur-to-speak-near-toronoto. 
  27. ↑ Sanou, Hanneke (20 February 2025). "Cabinet refuses entry to Islamic preachers for "hate speech"" (in en). Dutch News. https://www.dutchnews.nl/2025/02/cabinet-refuses-entry-to-islamic-preachers-for-hate-speech/. 
  28. ↑ Cranium, Crypto (2025-02-20). "Mohammed Hijab Targeted: Zionists Mobilize to Ban Muslim Speakers" (in en-US). https://muslimskeptic.com/2025/02/20/mohammed-hijab-targeted/. 
  29. ↑ "Oct. 7 deniers hail 'victory' over Dutch government ban". Jewish News Syndicate. 24 February 2025. https://www.jns.org/oct-7-deniers-hail-victory-over-dutch-government-ban/. 
  30. ↑ "Written question from Kjell Ingolf Ropstad (Christian Democratic Party) to the Minister of Justice and Public Security". Storting. 15 April 2024. https://www.stortinget.no/no/Saker-og-publikasjoner/Sporsmal/Skriftlige-sporsmal-og-svar/Skriftlig-sporsmal/?qnid=92710. 
  31. ↑ "Mohammed Hijab: I demand apology from Norwegian MP's libellous accusations". 18 April 2024. https://5pillarsuk.com/2024/04/18/mohammed-hijab-i-demand-apology-from-norwegian-mps-libellous-accusations/. 
  32. ↑ "UK YouTuber Mohammed Hijab is reportedly instigator-in-chief in Leicester violence" (in en). 24 September 2022. https://www.tribuneindia.com/news/diaspora/uk-youtuber-mohammed-hijab-is-reportedly-instigator-in-chief-in-leicester-violence-434933/. 
  33. ↑ Thomas, Pramod (6 October 2022). "YouTuber Mohammed Hijab accused of stirring Leicester violence says he didn't 'mock' Hindu faith" (in en). https://www.easterneye.biz/youtuber-mohammed-hijab-accused-of-stirring-leicester-violence-says-he-didnt-mock-hindu-faith/. 
  34. ↑ "YouTuber Mohammed Hijab exclusively speaks to Channel 4 News after being accused of stirring up trouble in Leicester" (in en-GB). 2022-10-05. https://www.channel4.com/news/youtuber-mohammed-hijab-exclusively-speaks-to-channel-4-news-after-being-accused-of-stirring-up-trouble-in-leicester. 
  35. ↑ Murray, Douglas (2022-09-21). "Leicester and the downside with diversity" (in en). https://www.spectator.co.uk/article/leicester-the-downside-of-diversity/. 
  36. ↑ 36.0 36.1 Rayner, Gordon (2025-08-05). "Douglas Murray wins defamation claim brought by Muslim activist" (in en-GB). The Telegraph. ISSN 0307-1235. https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/2025/08/05/douglas-murray-spectator-defamation-mohammed-hegab-hindus/. 
  37. ↑ 37.0 37.1 "BBC interviews 'we love death' activist on tackling Jew-hate" (in en). The Jewish Chronicle. 9 December 2021. https://www.thejc.com/news/bbc-interviews-we-love-death-activist-on-tackling-jew-hate-k6lt69pe. 
  38. ↑ Simons, Jake Wallis (9 December 2021). "'Arrogant' BBC caught in fight with Jews... again" (in en). The Jewish Chronicle. https://www.thejc.com/news/arrogant-bbc-caught-in-fight-with-jews-again-akjgabld. 
  39. ↑ "The BBC has chosen to lie and pick a fight with Jews" (in en). The Jewish Chronicle. 9 December 2021. https://www.thejc.com/opinion/the-bbc-has-chosen-to-lie-and-pick-a-fight-with-jews-yilt714i. 
  40. ↑ Mendel, Jack (27 May 2021). "YouTubers accused of 'deliberate incitement' over Golders Green Palestine video" (in en-US). Jewish News. https://www.jewishnews.co.uk/youtubers-accused-of-deliberate-incitement-over-golders-green-palestine-video/. 
  41. ↑ "Who is Mohammed Hijab?" (in en). 24 December 2024. https://antisemitism.org/who-is-mohammed-hijab/. 
  42. ↑ "'Churchill was a war criminal,' Islamic leader says in Israel-Gaza war debate" (in en). The Jerusalem Post. 17 November 2023. https://www.jpost.com/diaspora/antisemitism/article-773815. 
  43. ↑ "StandWithUs Condemns Recent Displays of Hinduphobia in UK". StandWithUs. 21 September 2022. https://www.standwithus.com/post/standwithus-condemns-recent-displays-of-hinduphobia-in-uk. 
  44. ↑ Sarkar, Shankhyaneel (21 September 2022). "Who Is Mohammed Hijab? 'Public Speaker' with an Anti-Semitic Past and His Role in Leicester Unrest" (in en). https://www.news18.com/news/world/who-is-mohammed-hijab-public-speaker-with-an-anti-semitic-past-and-his-role-in-leicester-unrest-6003085.html. 
  45. ↑ "#Watch: How UK Islamist jihadists are openly preaching violence against Hindus" (in en). 21 September 2022. https://www.firstpost.com/world/watch-how-uk-islamist-jihadists-are-openly-preaching-violence-against-hindus-11298001.html. 
  46. ↑ "Communal unrest in Leicester: Is influential Islamist YouTuber Mohammed Hijab inciting Muslims?" (in en-us). 20 September 2022. https://www.firstpost.com/explainers/hindu-muslim-leicester-violence-influential-islamist-youtuber-mohammed-hijab-muslims-india-pakistan-match-11294291.html. 
  47. ↑ "Islamic preacher Mohammed Hijab, who incited Leicester anti-Hindu violence, desperately tries to give clean chit to Muslim grooming gangs in UK" (in en-US). 6 January 2025. https://hindupost.in/world/islamic-preacher-mohammed-hijab-who-incited-leicester-anti-hindu-violence-desperately-tries-to-give-clean-chit-to-muslim-grooming-gangs-in-uk/. 
  48. ↑ "UK YouTuber's past manoeuvres point toward nexus of global jihad: Report". Asian News International. 25 September 2022. https://www.aninews.in/news/world/middle-east/uk-youtubers-past-manoeuvres-point-toward-nexus-of-global-jihad-report20220925201522/. 
  49. ↑ Haq, Sana Noor (2023-02-16). "Andrew Tate’s Muslim fanbase is growing. Some say he’s exploiting Islam for internet popularity" (in en). https://www.cnn.com/2023/02/16/world/andrew-tate-muslim-men-manosphere-intl-cmd. 
  50. ↑ Sajjan M. Gohel (2024-10-28). "From the Taliban to Andrew Tate there is a proliferation of global misogyny". https://blogs.lse.ac.uk/wps/2024/10/28/from-the-taliban-to-andrew-tate-there-is-a-proliferation-of-global-misogyny/. 
  51. ↑ "Douglas Murray, 'Spectator' magazine being sued by anti-Israel influencer for defamation". The Jerusalem Post. 13 December 2024. https://m.jpost.com/international/article-833357. 
  52. ↑ Prinsley, Jane (12 December 2024). "Mohammed Hijab sues Douglas Murray for defamation" (in en). The Jewish Chronicle. https://www.thejc.com/news/uk/mohammed-hijab-sues-douglas-murray-for-defamation-c3lpnn8l. 
  53. ↑ Prinsley, Jane (2025-10-26). "Mohammed Hijab can’t appeal libel case loss against Douglas Murray and The Spectator" (in en). https://www.thejc.com/news/uk/mohammed-hijab-cant-appeal-libel-case-loss-against-douglas-murray-and-the-spectator-fvchuhsx. 
  54. ↑ Prinsley, Jane (2025-08-05). "Mohammed Hijab is a liar, judge rules as influencer loses libel case against Douglas Murray". https://www.thejc.com/news/uk/mohammed-hijab-is-a-liar-judge-rules-as-influencer-loses-libel-case-against-douglas-murray-wccr25fg. 



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