Islamist Preacher Banned In U.K. Arrives On Canada Tour

MONTREAL — Uthman Ibn Farooq, an Islamist preacher barred from entering the United Kingdom after officials said his presence was “not conducive to the public good,” has arrived in Canada for a speaking tour that includes a scheduled appearance at the Université du Québec à Montréal on Wednesday, October 23. The Centre for Israel and Jewish Affairs (CIJA) and Montreal Jewish community leaders said his presence poses a danger to public safety and to the Jewish community’s ability to live without intimidation.

The Canadian dates for Ibn Farooq’s tour are listed publicly on event platforms and community calendars. Organizers include student Muslim associations across Montreal campuses and charity partners that have promoted sessions on the tour itinerary. Montreal listings show a campus event at UQAM in room DS-R510 on October 23 from mid-afternoon to early evening.

British authorities revoked Ibn Farooq’s permission to enter the U.K. after media reports highlighted his past remarks. Coverage cited videos and social media posts in which Ibn Farooq appeared to defend sexual relations with female captives taken in war, and in which he spoke of an uncompromising Islamization of Europe. Those reports prompted calls in Britain for his entry to be blocked as a matter of public safety.

Le prédicateur islamiste Uthman Ibn Farooq représente un risque pour la sécurité du Québec.

Interdit d'entrée au Royaume-Uni car "nuisible à l'intérêt général", mais en tournée au Canada à partir d'aujourd'hui, Ibn Farooq sera présent mercredi 23 octobre à la salle DS-R510 de… pic.twitter.com/HzPmY4O24c

— Le CIJA (@CIJAQC) October 17, 2025

The preacher has also been widely reported to have used demeaning language about gay people and to have made comments described by some British politicians as antisemitic. In public posts and statements in the U.K., critics have flagged remarks referring to non Muslims with a derogatory term and repeating tropes about money. Robert Jenrick, a senior Conservative politician in Britain, said the preacher “should never step foot in the U.K.” after citing those past remarks.

Local Jewish organizations and security advocates in Montreal reacted with alarm. CIJA tweeted that Ibn Farooq represents a security risk to Quebec and urged authorities, campus officials, and event hosts to take immediate steps to prevent the normalization of rhetoric that targets Jews, women, and LGBTQ people. Federation CJA and other community groups have repeatedly warned that sustained public appearances by speakers who promote hate increase the risk of violent incidents and heighten tensions on campus.

University student organizers posted event details to campus networks. Student Muslim associations said the gatherings are intended as religious or spiritual workshops and invited broad participation. The campus listings underscore the challenge for administrators balancing freedom of speech and assembly with the duty of care for vulnerable communities on campus.

Legal and security experts note there is a public safety dimension as well as a reputational one. Allowing a figure whom another democratic government has barred for public-safety reasons to speak on Canadian soil can erode trust between communities, they said. It can also shift the onus onto municipal police and university security to manage protests, counterprogramming, and the safety of Jewish students and institutions.

Jewish and pro-Israel leaders pressed Canadian authorities and university officials to act. They urged event hosts to cancel invitations and for universities to enforce codes of conduct that prohibit hate speech. Community spokespeople said permitting such appearances without clear safeguards sends a message that extremist views can be mainstreamed on campus.

Organizers and charities associated with the tour said the events are meant to foster religious instruction and spiritual reflection. They frame their programming as lawful and within Canada’s protections for freedom of religion and expression. The contrast between that defense and the community safety concerns highlights the policy choices facing university administrators and local officials.

For pro-Israel and Jewish readers in Montreal and across Quebec, the stakes are immediate. Community leaders said they expect authorities and campus leaders to prioritize the protection of students and community institutions. They called on law enforcement to monitor threats and for universities to make contingency plans that ensure safe participation for all students.

This article is based on verified information from The Telegraph, Eventbrite, MuslimLink, the Centre for Israel and Jewish Affairs, and campus event postings.