Sadiq Khan under fire for allowing advert of Islamic preacher burning dollars on Tube

October 10, 2024

Transport for London (TfL) has been criticised for allowing adverts on tubes and buses that show a controversial Islamic preacher holding a briefcase full of burning US dollars.

The transport body, which is overseen by London mayor Sadiq Khan, has been urged to reconsider the decision to allow a series of billboards promoting Islamic finance startup Wahed, which tell commuters to “withdraw from exploitation”.

The adverts feature images of Muslim preacher and motivational speaker Ismail ibn Musa Menk, known as Mufti Menk, surrounded by flaming US dollar notes.

One poster featuring Mr Menk holding a silver briefcase of burning cash alongside text claiming that charging people interest to borrow money was once called “exploitation” and this practice had created a “massive wealth gap

In 2013, several UK universities cancelled the Muslim cleric’s tour after it emerged that he had preached that gay people were “worse than animals”. Mr Menk later retracted his anti-LGBT statements.

Susan Hall, a Conservative member of the London Assembly and former mayoral candidate, told GB News: “The Wahed advert on TfL services begs a lot of questions about the Mayor’s policing of advertising.

“If Wahed had wanted to advertise their platform with a high-calorie meal on the Tube, it would be banned, but apparently a preacher banned from other countries for promoting religious discord is fine.

A decision to approve the Wahed adverts contrasts with TfL’s decision to ban adverts for comedian Ed Gamble’s tour for breaching its junk food rules.

In March, the Off Menu podcast host was forced to remove a picture of a hot dog from posters promoting his stand-up comedy tour because of the TFL’s advertising policy on advertising foods that are high in fat, sugar and salt.

Sadiq Khan, Mayor of London is playing a long and fiendish game.

TfL last year also prohibited an advert for online artisan cheese shop Cheesegeek after deciding that the dairy product was too unhealthy.

A spokesman for the Mayor of London said: “The Mayor is clear that there is no place for hate in London and he strongly condemns any language which divides London’s amazing diverse communities.”