**Reform UK leader Nigel Farage has called for all mass religious observances to be banned following objections to a Ramadan event in London’s Trafalgar Square.**
He told party members at the Reform conference in Scotland that the Open Iftar on Monday – which was attended by London Mayor Sir Sadiq Khan – was an “attempt to overtake, intimidate and dominate our way of life”.
He warned that type of mass observance was coming to Scotland “soon”, and he Reform would “stand firm for the Judeo-Christian principles upon which our nation was built”.
The event has become a flashpoint in UK politics this week, with Tory leader Kemi Badenoch backing her shadow justice secretary Nick Timothy after he described the Iftar as an “act of domination and division”.
Asked by the Press Association if he favours the banning of all mass religious observances, Farage said: “Yes.”
Further asked if that includes Jewish or Catholic observances, he added: “I’ve never seen Jewish services taking place in places of historic Christian worship, or anywhere else.
“We have to get this right. We can’t stop individuals from praying, we wouldn’t want to stop individuals praying, but mass prayer is banned, mass Muslim prayer is banned, in many Muslim countries in the Middle East itself.
“So yes, we have to stop this kind of mass demonstration, provocative demonstration, in historic British sites, because that’s what it is.”
Badenoch said the Tories want to see religious observances in public places like Trafalgar Square, but they must be “inclusive and also respectful of British culture”.
At an event on Thursday, she said: “This is a country that believes in freedom of religion… this debate, which Nick is having, is not about freedom of religion, it’s about how religion is expressed in a shared public space and whether those expressions fit within the norms of British culture.”
Timothy made the post on X on Tuesday, saying: “Mass ritual prayer in public places is an act of domination.”
He continued: “Perform these rituals in mosques if you wish. But they are not welcome in our public places and shared institutions.”
About 3,000 people were expected to attend the event held by Ramadan Tent Project.
Similar religious gatherings have long taken place in London, such as Jewish celebrations of Chanukah and Christian Easter Sunday processions.
Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer said it means the Conservative Party has become aligned with Tommy Robinson after Mr Robinson, real name Stephen Yaxley-Lennon, had posted in support of Timothy’s comments.
During Prime Minister’s Questions on Wednesday, Starmer called for Timothy to be sacked.
“I’ve never heard her party call out anything other than the Muslim events,” he said. “It’s only when Muslims are praying. The only conclusion is the Tory Party has got a problem with Muslims.”
MondeyMondey on
> Timothy made the post on X on Tuesday, saying: “Mass ritual prayer in public places is an act of domination.”
Just some of the most scared people I’ve ever seen. Must be horrible to go through life like this.
psioniclizard on
All Farage wants to do is ban stuff and take things away.
I hope his supporters realise that rarely leads to the better things they are hoping for.
Jensablefur on
Imagine telling the crowd that were booing Nick Griffin on Question Time that this would be mainstream politics in a decade.
The Overton rightward shift is genuinely scary…
TheWorldIsGoingMad on
Don’t agree with him at all, nor do I agree about “banning the Burka”, it’s called personal freedom and free speech. Free speech is about accepting people have a right to say stuff, and wear stuff (and even do stuff) that you might not like.
PabloMarmite on
This would include the people having vigils outside abortion clinics that Farage is so in favour of?
What about Palm Sunday parades? Outdoor nativities?
BenathonWrigley on
Sounds pretty communist to me that Nige. USSR also banned religious gatherings.
Didn’t realise you were a Marxist-Leninist.
ByteSizedGenius on
I am pretty anti-religion. If I was PM with the exception of the Human rights act and Equality laws all the exclusions I.e tax breaks, animal slaughter exemptions etc would go. But if people want to come together and pray in a public place then crack on. This is authoritarian nonsense.
MoleUK on
I’m sure he means just the Muslims one’s. Makes it much better! /s.
notthatbluestuff on
“He warned that type of mass observance was coming to Scotland “soon”, and he Reform would “stand firm for the Judeo-Christian principles upon which our nation was built”.
So he won’t be looking to ban… well, Christmas Mass, then?
Senior_Sentence_566 on
So we’re going to ban remembrance day celebrations which are usually Christian in nature? Wonder how that will go down with his fans
Chailatte2022 on
Ask him to explain what judeo Christian values are and see if he will state what the Old Testament says about fornication adultery age of marriage and gambling etc and see if he wants those values implemented
Actual-Tower8609 on
Vote reform and lose your freedom of speech, freedom of expression and freedom to protest.
If you cannot, say, pray at a vigil then they certainly won’t let you protest.
Kwinza on
So Reform want to ban Christmas and Easter….
Bold move.
gbroon on
Even as an atheist I don’t see how that would work.
supergodmasterforce on
You know, racists like Nigel Farage constantly bleat on about “British Culture” being destroyed because events such as this yet, I cannot accurately pinpoint exactly what British Culture is.
He talks about “Judeo-Christian” principles that the nation was built on but I’d love for him to say what he believes these principles are.
Farage talks about the dangers of religious extremism, well to be more accurate, he talks about the dangers of religious extremism by people who adhere to religions from the non-White world. *He* is the religious extremism that should be described as a danger. The extreme “Christianity” that believes in a White, Western Jesus that will force their beliefs upon us just like they claim that Islam is forcing it’s beliefs on everyone else.
BlGBY on
Every Sunday up Dudley, the Church will meet on the market, singing and live streaming. Will Reform force them to stop?
Adorable-Fault-5116 on
Christmas is a religious observance.
He doesn’t mean all religious observances, obviously, just ones for brown people.
Severe-Aardvark-8770 on
What about Orange Walks? If that’s not an intimidating act of religious dominance I don’t know what is? See how that plays out in Scotland with the base he’s aiming at there.
Good_Lettuce_2690 on
First time I’ve ever agreed with him, but would take it a step further, ban all religion. Causes nothing but problems.
FabianTheElf on
Nigel Farage ‘I want to ban your towns christmas market’
Real man of the people vibes there.
kank84 on
You heard it here, Nigel Farage hates Christmas! Don’t even think about putting on that nativity play!
New_Slice_1580 on
He is fighting against Advance Uk and Rupert Lowe’s party for the more far right voters.
Expect more of this
billy_tables on
After years of daily mail “banning christmas” headlines, the person who actually does it, is nigel farage
theoneandonlyvesper on
This is honestly embarrassing for a country that claims to stand for freedom and equality. Banning public religious expression because it makes some people uncomfortable isn’t “protecting culture,” it’s insecurity dressed up as principle.
Imagine being so fragile in your own beliefs that the mere sight of another religion practising openly feels like a threat.
I’m from Indonesia, a Muslim-majority country, and we celebrate multiple religions openly, with public holidays and large gatherings. No one’s panicking about being “overtaken.” It’s just coexistence.
If anything, that shows the difference between confidence in your identity and fear of everyone else’s.
Elanthius on
Every Palm Sunday the congregation at my church (and probably most CoE churches) walk through the streets singing and waving palm fronds. Should that be banned Nigel Farage?
theoneandonlyvesper on
This is honestly embarrassing for a country that claims to stand for freedom and equality. Banning public religious expression because it makes some people uncomfortable isn’t “protecting culture,” it’s insecurity dressed up as principle.
Imagine being so fragile in your own beliefs that the mere sight of another religion practising openly feels like a threat.
I’m from a Muslim-majority country, and we celebrate multiple religions openly, with public holidays and large gatherings. No one’s panicking about being “overtaken.” It’s just coexistence.
If anything, that shows the difference between confidence in your identity and fear of everyone else’s.
dr_barnowl on
All the people who post the BS about “Easter eggs don’t even have the word ‘Easter’ on them any more!!!” and “You can’t wish anyone ‘Merry Christmas’ any more or you’ll be ARRESTED” will surely be outraged.
Domicidalmaniaccc on
So no more royal ceremonies or singing the national anthem? Farage is a Republican confirmed!?
kobrakai_1986 on
I miss the days when there was always a small chance that a milkshake would land on Farage.
Bolvaettur on
Reform want to cancel Christmas! No Easter under Reform! Whitsun is right out.
Zenigata on
So he wants to ban carol singing, St George’s parades, well dressing, Remembrance Day…. or at least the religious parts of them?
Will carol singing be allowed so long as people skip traditional hymns and only sing modern secular pop songs?
Will well dressing, St Georges and Remembeance events be allowed so long as they no longer include any prayers?
How is any of this “small government” or “deregulation”?
SmallPromiseQueen on
What on earth is wrong with praying? Why does anyone care if a load of people pray together? I’m not religious and I’d never take part in something like that myself but I really don’t see what the problem with it is?
RedofPaw on
He then clarified it by saying: “I’ve never seen Jewish services taking place in places of historic Christian worship, or anywhere else.”
Which is a way of telling you that Christians doing mass observance: Fine.
Jewish: Maybe, depends how it plays to the base.
Muslim: Jail immediately.
The dog whistles are just regular whistles at this point.
friedeggbeats on
Oh crap I agree with Nigel about something!
But seriously, all religions are nonsense. I don’t want to see fundamentalists of any type polluting public spaces with guff about imaginary sky fairies.
ElvishMystical on
Does this include painting red crosses on white surfaces?
Goosepond01 on
I don’t agree with this but we should be following France in how they deal with banning religious icons and outfits.
religion is deeply harmful and it’s a damn shame that a country that was continuing to have lower and lower rates of religious belief, one where religion was playing less and less of a part in daily life has now had an influx of people who are way way way more observant and obviously willing to indoctrinate their children.
should shut/force change on all religious schools and refuse permissions for any new religious centres to be built, ideally I’d like religious centres outside of extremely old and historical buildings to be turned in to public spaces free from religion, like community halls.
37 commenti
**Reform UK leader Nigel Farage has called for all mass religious observances to be banned following objections to a Ramadan event in London’s Trafalgar Square.**
He told party members at the Reform conference in Scotland that the Open Iftar on Monday – which was attended by London Mayor Sir Sadiq Khan – was an “attempt to overtake, intimidate and dominate our way of life”.
He warned that type of mass observance was coming to Scotland “soon”, and he Reform would “stand firm for the Judeo-Christian principles upon which our nation was built”.
The event has become a flashpoint in UK politics this week, with Tory leader Kemi Badenoch backing her shadow justice secretary Nick Timothy after he described the Iftar as an “act of domination and division”.
Asked by the Press Association if he favours the banning of all mass religious observances, Farage said: “Yes.”
Further asked if that includes Jewish or Catholic observances, he added: “I’ve never seen Jewish services taking place in places of historic Christian worship, or anywhere else.
“We have to get this right. We can’t stop individuals from praying, we wouldn’t want to stop individuals praying, but mass prayer is banned, mass Muslim prayer is banned, in many Muslim countries in the Middle East itself.
“So yes, we have to stop this kind of mass demonstration, provocative demonstration, in historic British sites, because that’s what it is.”
Badenoch said the Tories want to see religious observances in public places like Trafalgar Square, but they must be “inclusive and also respectful of British culture”.
At an event on Thursday, she said: “This is a country that believes in freedom of religion… this debate, which Nick is having, is not about freedom of religion, it’s about how religion is expressed in a shared public space and whether those expressions fit within the norms of British culture.”
Timothy made the post on X on Tuesday, saying: “Mass ritual prayer in public places is an act of domination.”
He continued: “Perform these rituals in mosques if you wish. But they are not welcome in our public places and shared institutions.”
About 3,000 people were expected to attend the event held by Ramadan Tent Project.
Similar religious gatherings have long taken place in London, such as Jewish celebrations of Chanukah and Christian Easter Sunday processions.
Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer said it means the Conservative Party has become aligned with Tommy Robinson after Mr Robinson, real name Stephen Yaxley-Lennon, had posted in support of Timothy’s comments.
During Prime Minister’s Questions on Wednesday, Starmer called for Timothy to be sacked.
“I’ve never heard her party call out anything other than the Muslim events,” he said. “It’s only when Muslims are praying. The only conclusion is the Tory Party has got a problem with Muslims.”
> Timothy made the post on X on Tuesday, saying: “Mass ritual prayer in public places is an act of domination.”
Just some of the most scared people I’ve ever seen. Must be horrible to go through life like this.
All Farage wants to do is ban stuff and take things away.
I hope his supporters realise that rarely leads to the better things they are hoping for.
Imagine telling the crowd that were booing Nick Griffin on Question Time that this would be mainstream politics in a decade.
The Overton rightward shift is genuinely scary…
Don’t agree with him at all, nor do I agree about “banning the Burka”, it’s called personal freedom and free speech. Free speech is about accepting people have a right to say stuff, and wear stuff (and even do stuff) that you might not like.
This would include the people having vigils outside abortion clinics that Farage is so in favour of?
What about Palm Sunday parades? Outdoor nativities?
Sounds pretty communist to me that Nige. USSR also banned religious gatherings.
Didn’t realise you were a Marxist-Leninist.
I am pretty anti-religion. If I was PM with the exception of the Human rights act and Equality laws all the exclusions I.e tax breaks, animal slaughter exemptions etc would go. But if people want to come together and pray in a public place then crack on. This is authoritarian nonsense.
I’m sure he means just the Muslims one’s. Makes it much better! /s.
“He warned that type of mass observance was coming to Scotland “soon”, and he Reform would “stand firm for the Judeo-Christian principles upon which our nation was built”.
So he won’t be looking to ban… well, Christmas Mass, then?
So we’re going to ban remembrance day celebrations which are usually Christian in nature? Wonder how that will go down with his fans
Ask him to explain what judeo Christian values are and see if he will state what the Old Testament says about fornication adultery age of marriage and gambling etc and see if he wants those values implemented
Vote reform and lose your freedom of speech, freedom of expression and freedom to protest.
If you cannot, say, pray at a vigil then they certainly won’t let you protest.
So Reform want to ban Christmas and Easter….
Bold move.
Even as an atheist I don’t see how that would work.
You know, racists like Nigel Farage constantly bleat on about “British Culture” being destroyed because events such as this yet, I cannot accurately pinpoint exactly what British Culture is.
He talks about “Judeo-Christian” principles that the nation was built on but I’d love for him to say what he believes these principles are.
Farage talks about the dangers of religious extremism, well to be more accurate, he talks about the dangers of religious extremism by people who adhere to religions from the non-White world. *He* is the religious extremism that should be described as a danger. The extreme “Christianity” that believes in a White, Western Jesus that will force their beliefs upon us just like they claim that Islam is forcing it’s beliefs on everyone else.
Every Sunday up Dudley, the Church will meet on the market, singing and live streaming. Will Reform force them to stop?
Christmas is a religious observance.
He doesn’t mean all religious observances, obviously, just ones for brown people.
What about Orange Walks? If that’s not an intimidating act of religious dominance I don’t know what is? See how that plays out in Scotland with the base he’s aiming at there.
First time I’ve ever agreed with him, but would take it a step further, ban all religion. Causes nothing but problems.
Nigel Farage ‘I want to ban your towns christmas market’
Real man of the people vibes there.
You heard it here, Nigel Farage hates Christmas! Don’t even think about putting on that nativity play!
He is fighting against Advance Uk and Rupert Lowe’s party for the more far right voters.
Expect more of this
After years of daily mail “banning christmas” headlines, the person who actually does it, is nigel farage
This is honestly embarrassing for a country that claims to stand for freedom and equality. Banning public religious expression because it makes some people uncomfortable isn’t “protecting culture,” it’s insecurity dressed up as principle.
Imagine being so fragile in your own beliefs that the mere sight of another religion practising openly feels like a threat.
I’m from Indonesia, a Muslim-majority country, and we celebrate multiple religions openly, with public holidays and large gatherings. No one’s panicking about being “overtaken.” It’s just coexistence.
If anything, that shows the difference between confidence in your identity and fear of everyone else’s.
Every Palm Sunday the congregation at my church (and probably most CoE churches) walk through the streets singing and waving palm fronds. Should that be banned Nigel Farage?
This is honestly embarrassing for a country that claims to stand for freedom and equality. Banning public religious expression because it makes some people uncomfortable isn’t “protecting culture,” it’s insecurity dressed up as principle.
Imagine being so fragile in your own beliefs that the mere sight of another religion practising openly feels like a threat.
I’m from a Muslim-majority country, and we celebrate multiple religions openly, with public holidays and large gatherings. No one’s panicking about being “overtaken.” It’s just coexistence.
If anything, that shows the difference between confidence in your identity and fear of everyone else’s.
All the people who post the BS about “Easter eggs don’t even have the word ‘Easter’ on them any more!!!” and “You can’t wish anyone ‘Merry Christmas’ any more or you’ll be ARRESTED” will surely be outraged.
So no more royal ceremonies or singing the national anthem? Farage is a Republican confirmed!?
I miss the days when there was always a small chance that a milkshake would land on Farage.
Reform want to cancel Christmas! No Easter under Reform! Whitsun is right out.
So he wants to ban carol singing, St George’s parades, well dressing, Remembrance Day…. or at least the religious parts of them?
Will carol singing be allowed so long as people skip traditional hymns and only sing modern secular pop songs?
Will well dressing, St Georges and Remembeance events be allowed so long as they no longer include any prayers?
How is any of this “small government” or “deregulation”?
What on earth is wrong with praying? Why does anyone care if a load of people pray together? I’m not religious and I’d never take part in something like that myself but I really don’t see what the problem with it is?
He then clarified it by saying: “I’ve never seen Jewish services taking place in places of historic Christian worship, or anywhere else.”
Which is a way of telling you that Christians doing mass observance: Fine.
Jewish: Maybe, depends how it plays to the base.
Muslim: Jail immediately.
The dog whistles are just regular whistles at this point.
Oh crap I agree with Nigel about something!
But seriously, all religions are nonsense. I don’t want to see fundamentalists of any type polluting public spaces with guff about imaginary sky fairies.
Does this include painting red crosses on white surfaces?
I don’t agree with this but we should be following France in how they deal with banning religious icons and outfits.
religion is deeply harmful and it’s a damn shame that a country that was continuing to have lower and lower rates of religious belief, one where religion was playing less and less of a part in daily life has now had an influx of people who are way way way more observant and obviously willing to indoctrinate their children.
should shut/force change on all religious schools and refuse permissions for any new religious centres to be built, ideally I’d like religious centres outside of extremely old and historical buildings to be turned in to public spaces free from religion, like community halls.