Mizanur Rahman, a former close associate of hate preacher Anjem Choudary, is reportedly using TikTok to broadcast anti-British messages and redefine terrorism convictions, according to reports. Rahman, who has a history of extremist views and was previously jailed for five-and-a-half years for supporting ISIS, is accused of downplaying the severity of terrorism by claiming most convictions are for activities like reading magazines or holding placards.
Experts express concern that Rahman's content, described as 'highly toxic nonsense,' could be aimed at influencing impressionable young Muslims. Security expert Professor Anthony Glees warned that Rahman's rhetoric could have 'horrific repercussions' by attempting to persuade young Muslims to commit violence against non-Muslims. He noted that Rahman exploits a "barmy logic" that may appeal to the TikTok generation, which has a significant user base of 11 to 15-year-olds.
Rahman's online activities have drawn scrutiny, especially in light of a recent report indicating that 36% of young British Muslims referred to the Prevent counter-terror program were between 11 and 15 years old. Security analysts suggest that glorifying terrorism is a serious criminal offense under the Terrorism Act 2006 and urge counter-terrorist police to intervene.
Rahman's posts also include rants against Britain being part of an 'axis of evil' with the USA and Israel, and he has labeled Muslim police officers as 'greedy sinners.' He has also been reported to be selling and promoting Islamic books, some of which reportedly advocate for violence against homosexuals and discourage Muslims from holding elected political office.
Rahman's personal TikTok account was reportedly deleted after previous reports prompted action, but supporters have allegedly reposted his content on new accounts. In one video, Rahman claimed that "99 percent" of people convicted of terrorism have no involvement in actual violence, citing examples of individuals convicted for protesting or possessing what he termed 'terrorist' material.
Rahman, identified as an accountant and father of four, has a prior conviction from 2007 for soliciting murder. He was one of three men jailed for six years for inciting the murder of Western troops in Iraq, where he was recorded calling for UK soldiers to be returned in body bags and for their tanks to be burned. Choudary, labeled Britain's most prolific Islamist terror radicalizer, was sentenced to 28 years in 2024 for directing the banned terror group al-Muhajiroun. Rahman was released from prison in October 2018.