The newly-elected British councilor for Leeds has sparked controversy after a video of him shouting “Allahu Akbar” went viral following his win in the local election. Mothin Ali, a 42-year-old accountant, and father-of-three, made headlines with his fiery victory speech in Leeds, where he said his election was a “win for the people of Gaza”.
Ali’s journey to the political leadership with the UK’s Green Party began with his win in Leeds Council elections, where he triumphed in the Gipton and Harehills seats, with over 3000 votes. His victory speech, marked by the exclamation “Allahu Akbar,” stirred criticism.
Who is Mothin Ali?
Born and raised in Leeds, Ali’s roots in the community run deep. He is a graduate of Leeds Beckett University and the director of his accountancy firm, The Daily Mail newspaper reported. Despite his professional success, Ali’s interests extend beyond numbers and ledgers.
Outside of his career, Ali is a family man and avid gardener. Alongside his wife and three children, he runs a popular gardening YouTube channel called My Family Garden. With over 554 videos and 53,000 subscribers, the channel showcases their passion for organic gardening and traditional growing techniques. Ali’s vocal support for Palestine and criticism of Israel have drawn some condemnation.
Ali’s vociferous stance on the Israel-Palestine conflict has been a focal point of his public persona. In a series of TikTok videos, Ali expressed solidarity with the Palestinian cause, labeling Gaza as “the world’s biggest concentration camp.” His comments, made in the aftermath of Palestinian militant attacks, ignited debate and scrutiny.
Ali’s views on social media have sparked heated discussions, particularly regarding his remarks about Israel and its actions in Gaza. His comparison of Israeli forces to “white supremacists” and accusations of ethnic cleansing have drawn sharp criticism from some quarters. Despite the controversy surrounding his political views, Ali’s election victory reflects a broader trend of growing support for pro-Palestinian sentiments in certain communities.
“It was the moment that defined the local elections, although you won’t have seen it on the BBC. Mothin Ali, newly elected to Leeds City Council for the Green Party, punched his fist in the air and, to the delight of his supporters, yelled: ‘We will raise the voice of Gaza, we will raise the voice of Palestine. Allahu Akbar!'” wrote British columnist Daniel Hannan for The Daily Mail.
Hannan, who is the International Secretary of the Conservative Party and serves on the Board of Trade, said the war in Gaza is the immediate focus point, but this could be just the beginning. Raising concerns about the incompatibility of identity politics with an open society, he wrote, “We can’t live together in a free democracy if two babies born on the same day come into the world with a set of pre-existing grievances.”
