British politician Farage intends to ban mass Muslim prayer gatherings 0 13

Nigel Farage, leader of the Reform UK party, stated that if elected Prime Minister, he would ban mass Muslim prayers at historic British sites, characterizing an event that took place this week in London as an attempt to "conquer, intimidate, and dominate."

Farage commented on the discussion that unfolded this week when a public Muslim prayer event at Trafalgar Square was labeled as an "act of dominance and division" by another politician — Conservative Party justice representative Nick Timothy.

Prime Minister Keir Starmer called for Timothy's dismissal over these remarks.

Farage, a long-time supporter of the UK's exit from the EU and a friend of US President Donald Trump, who has led in all national opinion polls since early last year, stated that such events, like the one held in London, are provocative in nature.

"We need to understand this correctly: we cannot stop people from praying, we do not want to stop people from praying, but mass prayers are banned, mass Muslim prayers are banned in many Muslim countries in the Middle East," Farage said at the launch of his party's manifesto in Scotland.

"So yes, we need to stop this kind of mass demonstration. These provocative demonstrations in historic places — because that is exactly what they are."

The high polling numbers for the Reform Party have reinforced Farage's claim that his party, which has existed in its current form for five years, could come to power in the next elections, which are expected to take place by 2029.

In his speech in Scotland, Farage stated that while the UK has a history of religious tolerance, the Muslim event in London was not a "private observance of another religion, but an attempt to subjugate, intimidate, and dominate our way of life."

Sadiq Khan, the Labour Party Mayor of London, who is Muslim, was among those who attended the peaceful event on Monday organized by the charity Ramadan Tent Project. Photos show hundreds of people, including Khan, praying at sunset before iftar, when the daily fast of Ramadan ends.

When a journalist asked him to clarify whether he also plans to ban mass religious events for Catholics or Jews, Farage replied: "I have never seen Jewish services held in historic Christian churches or anywhere else."

Starmer stated that gatherings of Christians, Jews, and Hindus also take place at Trafalgar Square, which he said reflects the diversity of the UK.