UK home secretary bans al-Quds march in London after Met Police request

UK home secretary bans al-Quds march in London after Met Police requestThe Metropolitan Police requested the ban citing public disorder risks, while the organisers decide to hold a static protest instead.Published On 11 Mar 2026The United Kingdom has banned this year’s al-Quds Day march in London, an event which has taken place for 40 years, with the government citing public disorder risks linked to the “volatile situation in the Middle East” and potential clashes between rival protesters.It is the first time a protest march has been banned since 2012, when authorities prevented marches by the far-right English Defence League.Recommended Stories list of 4 itemslist 1 of 4Iran war: What is happening on day 12 of US-Israel attacks?list 2 of 4Iran fires missiles, drones at Gulf nations as ship hit in Strait of Hormuzlist 3 of 4Iran’s strategic patience tactic failed, what comes next could be far worselist 4 of 4Iran welcome to compete in FIFA World Cup, Trump tells Infantinoend of listThe Metropolitan Police sought the al-Quds Day ban, which was approved by Home Secretary Shabana Mahmood.The Islamic Human Rights Commission (IHRC), which organises the demonstration, condemned the decision and said it would challenge it legally.It said a static protest would still go ahead on Sunday.The group claimed the police had “capitulated to the pressure of the Zionist lobby” and rejected accusations that it supports the Iranian government, saying it is an independent nongovernmental organisation.The ban will begin at 16:00 GMT on Wednesday and last for one month. It applies to Sunday’s planned Al-Quds march and associated counterprotests.al-Quds Day is an international annual event held every year on the last Friday of Ramadan, in which rallies are held to express support for Palestine and oppose the Israeli occupation of its territories.Iran’s first supreme leader, Ruhollah Khomeini, established al-Quds Day in 1979 shortly after the Islamic revolution.al-Quds Day rally in Cape Town, South Africa, in April 2023 [File: Nardus Engelbrecht/AP Photo]Iran’s critics claim it uses the march to further its political interests.