Hate Preacher's Ex-Aide Recruits Online for Violence

Mizanur Rahman, a former associate of notorious hate preacher Anjem Choudary, is reportedly using TikTok to spread what security experts call "highly toxic nonsense," potentially influencing young Muslims toward violence. Rahman, who was jailed in 2016 for inviting support for ISIS, is now sharing online diatribes that downplay the severity of terrorism convictions and label Western nations as an "axis of evil."

Rahman, 43, claims that the majority of individuals imprisoned for terrorism offenses were convicted for minor acts like reading magazines or participating in protests, rather than actual violence. In one video, he stated, "I can't think of a single terrorism case that involves a person who has killed another person." He further distinguished between murder convictions, like that of Michael Adebolajo, and terrorism convictions, which he characterized as stemming from actions such as holding a placard or downloading a magazine.

Security expert Professor Anthony Glees warned that Rahman's rhetoric could have "horrific repercussions," especially given his apparent focus on impressionable individuals. Glees noted that "almost one thousand young British Muslims were referred to the Prevent counter-terror platform last year, with 36 percent of them being very young, 11 to 15 years old – TikTok targets." He added that Rahman exploits a "barmy logic that can all too easily appeal to the TikTok generation."

Rahman also criticized Muslims who join the police force, suggesting their actions could be driven by greed and lead them to compromise their faith. He further denounced the United States, Britain, and Israel as a "triangle of three major players" benefiting from Islamophobia and engaging in "genocides" and wars.

Rahman's online activities have drawn condemnation from anti-extremism commentators, who fear he is attempting to normalize extremist ideologies and incite violence against non-Muslims. His previous convictions include a six-year jail sentence in 2007 for soliciting the murder of Western troops in Iraq, where he reportedly called for soldiers to be returned "in body bags."

Rahman was freed from prison in October 2018. The Daily Mail reported that his TikTok account was recently deleted after a prior report prompted action, but supporters have since created a new account to repost his content. He has also been promoting Islamic books, some of which reportedly contain content that discourages political participation and advocates for the killing of homosexuals.