Who Is Mothin Ali? British Councillor Who Shouted 'Allahu Akbar' After Being Elected In Local Polls

The newly-elected British councillor for Leeds has sparked controversy after a video of him shouting “Allahu Akbar” went viral following his win in the local election. Mothin Ali, a 42-year-old accountant, and father-of-three, made headlines with his fiery victory speech in Leeds, where he said his election was a “win for the people of Gaza”.

Who is Mothin Ali?

Ali’s journey to the political forefront with the UK’s Green Party began with his win in Leeds Council elections, where he triumphed in the Gipton and Harehills seats, with over 3000 votes. His victory speech, marked by the exclamation “Allahu Akbar,” stirred criticism.

Background

Born and raised in Leeds, Ali’s roots in the community run deep. He is a graduate of Leeds Beckett University and the director of his accountancy firm, The Daily Mail newspaper reported. Despite his professional success, Ali’s interests extend beyond numbers and ledgers.

Outside of his career, Ali is a family man and avid gardener. Alongside his wife and three children, he runs a popular gardening YouTube channel called My Family Garden. With over 554 videos and 53,000 subscribers, the channel showcases their passion for organic gardening and traditional growing techniques. Ali’s vocal support for Palestine and criticism of Israel have drawn some condemnation.

Stand On Israel-Palestine conflict

Ali’s vociferous stance on the Israel-Palestine conflict has been a focal point of his public persona. In a series of TikTok videos, Ali expressed solidarity with the Palestinian cause, labeling Gaza as “the world’s biggest concentration camp.” His comments, made in the aftermath of Palestinian militant attacks, ignited debate and scrutiny.

Ali’s views on social media have sparked heated discussions, particularly regarding his remarks about Israel and its actions in Gaza. His comparison of Israeli forces to “white supremacists” and accusations of ethnic cleansing have drawn sharp criticism from some quarters. Despite the controversy surrounding his political views, Ali’s election victory reflects a broader trend of growing support for pro-Palestinian sentiments in certain communities.

‘Moment that defined elections’

“It was the moment that defined the local elections, though you won’t have seen it on the BBC. Mothin Ali, newly elected to Leeds City Council for the Green Party, punched his fist in the air and, to the delight of his supporters, yelled: ‘We will raise the voice of Gaza, we will raise the voice of Palestine. Allahu Akbar!’” wrote British columnist Daniel Hannan for The Daily Mail.

Hannan, who is the International Secretary of the Conservative Party and serves on the Board of Trade, said the war in Gaza is the immediate focus point, but this could be just the beginning. Raising concerns about the incompatibility of identity politics with an open society, he wrote, “We can’t live together in a free democracy if two babies born on the same day come into the world with a set of pre-existing grievances.”

Social Media Reaction

“Here is Mothin Ali, who’s just been elected as a councillor in the Leeds area, where he dedicated his win for “Palestine”. This is what him and his cronies think of the country, people, and area that he was elected to represent,” said on the opponents of the Leeds councillor.  “So the guy gets elected in Leeds but waiving a Palestine flag. Are people going to say anything or is it racist?” wrote another on X. Another said, “How has the country fallen so badly that people like him have been allowed to be elected as an mp.”

Not all stood against Mothin Ali, many backed the pro-Palestine candidate. “I really wish we had a proper pro-Palestine candidate in London standing as mayor. I would have definitely made the effort to go out and vote for someone like Mothin Ali. He offers principled stances and appears unapologetic in his beliefs. If Allah Hu Akbar scares you then I’d advise you grow up a bit…” said one of the users on X.