The Case of Imam Qari Asim: A Zionist-Aligned Imam

This blog highlights prominent UK Muslim figures who have aligned themselves with well-known Zionist individuals and organisations. One such figure is Imam Qari Asim.

Based in Leeds, Yorkshire, Imam Qari Asim’s roles as self-described on his X (formerly Twitter) profile include: “Imam: @LeedsMosque | Lawyer: global law firm | Chair: @Minab_uk | Senior Editor: @ImamsOnline | Trustee: @BritishFuture (Source)

Over the past several years, Imam Asim has contributed multiple articles to pro-Zionist UK publications, including The Jewish News (four articles: link) and The Jewish Chronicle (one article: link).

The Jewish Chronicle has drawn widespread criticism for publishing fabricated content lacking in journalistic rigour (BBC report), shamelessly pro-Israel and often blatantly anti-Muslim. In one notorious piece, the author wrote that comparing Islamophobia to anti-Semitism was “obscene,” describing Islamophobia as “profoundly anti-Jew.” (Source) This statement was defended by the editor of the Chronicle, despite public backlash. (Guardian report)

In addition to his publishing record, Imam Asim has also spoken at events organised by the Board of Deputies of British Jews (BoD)—an organisation that, in recent years, has adopted increasingly right-wing and pro-Zionist positions. The BoD regularly lobbies the UK Government and media on matters such as:

Campaigned aggressively to suppress pro-Palestinian voices through questionable accusations of anti-Semitism.
Had its president, Phil Rosenberg, photographed with controversial figures such as Douglas Murray and Ely Levy.
Pressured the government to boycott Muslim groups critical of Israel’s actions.
Celebrated the Trump administration’s relocation of the U.S. Embassy in Israel to Jerusalem.
Failed to condemn Trump’s proposed “Riviera” plans for Gaza for what it is: ethnic cleansing.
Played a key role in co-signing the recent Muslim-Jewish Drumlanrig “Accords”

Leeds Makkah Masjid & Lack of Transparency

Questions have been raised about governance and transparency at Leeds Makkah Masjid, where Imam Asim leads. Specific concerns remain unaddressed and deserve further scrutiny.

Imams Online & Beacon Mosques

Imam Asim collaborates closely with Shaukat Warraich, CEO of Faith Associates, who has been instrumental in the development of the controversial Prevent strategy and the broader counter-extremism framework in the UK.

MINAB: A Case Study in Stagnation

Imam Qari Asim assumed leadership of the Mosques & Imams National Advisory Board (MINAB) in 2018, following a takeover facilitated by the now-defunct British Muslim Forum (BMF). MINAB was originally launched after the 7/7 bombings with government support and had noble objectives, such as:

Strengthening mosque governance
Supporting imams in leadership roles
Enhancing community trust

However, under Asim’s leadership since 2018, MINAB has delivered very little of substance:

Just a handful of webinars / events
Annual income according to Charity Commission records consistently below £6,000
No change in trustees since 2019 according to Charity Commission records
Questionable compliance with its own constitution, including failure to hold proper elections
A dysfunctional and outdated website

Despite the lack of tangible progress, Imam Asim has regularly positioned himself as a national representative of British Muslims through dozens—if not hundreds—of media interviews and public appearances, citing him as “Chair of the Mosques & Imams National Advisory Board”.

The Muslim-Jewish “Accords”

In February 2025, Imam Asim was a signatory to a highly publicised UK Muslim-Jewish Accord. The document made no mention of Palestinians, Israel, or the ongoing genocide in Gaza, despite being drafted and signed in the midst of the ongoing crisis. The event was held in a Scottish castle and included a photo-op with King Charles—yet it occurred with no meaningful consultation with Muslim communities or institutions.

This performative gesture was reminiscent of the Trump-brokered “Abraham Accords,” which normalised relations between Israel and four Arab states (UAE, Bahrain, Morocco, Sudan) while side-lining the human rights of the Palestinian people.

Interfaith Engagement or Capitulation?

One might argue that engaging with Jewish organisations—including pro-Zionist ones—is necessary for healthy interfaith relations in the UK. However, Imam Qari Asim has failed to balance this by:

Engaging with anti-Zionist Jewish groups who actively campaign for Palestinian rights
Calling out problematic positions taken by prominent Zionists, whilst agreeing to disagree
Publicly distancing himself from Zionist stances when appropriate

Contrast this with efforts like this 2014 Joint Statement, which offered a more principled approach to collaboration while acknowledging political disagreements. Imam Asim has shown no such balance.

BMN Launch & Community Reactions

On 25 February 2025, coinciding with the launch of the British Muslim Network (BMN), a group of Barelvi scholars issued a strongly worded open letter titled “The False Leadership and Treachery of Qari Asim.” The letter accused him of unrepresentative leadership and failure to uphold the moral and political concerns of Muslim communities in the UK.

Conclusion

Imam Qari Asim is often invited by media outlets—including the BBC, LBC, The Times, The Guardian, The Telegraph and others—as a spokesperson for British Muslims. His polished demeanor and religious appearance make him an appealing figure to media producers. However, his alignment with problematic Zionism individuals and organisations renders his views and actions deeply unrepresentative of the broader Muslim communities of the UK.

Media professionals and policymakers should reconsider their reliance on Imam Qari Asim as a national voice for Muslims in the UK.