Hizb ut-Tahrir Britain

This article needs to be updated. Please help update this article to reflect recent events or newly available information. (August 2020)

Hizb ut-Tahrir Britain (also known as HT Britain, HTB, HT in the UK, and HTUK^[1]) is the official name^[2] of the United Kingdom branch of Hizb ut-Tahrir, a transnational, pan-Islamist and fundamentalist group that seeks to re-establish "the Islamic Khilafah (Caliphate)" as an Islamic "superstate" where Muslim-majority countries are unified^[3] and ruled under Islamic Shariah law,^[4] and which eventually expands globally to include non-Muslim states such as Britain.^{[Note 1][Note 2]} The group was designated a proscribed terrorist organization in the UK in January 2024.^{[7][8][9][10]}

The Home Office of the UK government describes HTB as "radical, but to date non-violent Islamist group" that "holds anti-semitic, anti-western and homophobic views";^[11] a BBC programme described the party's website as promoting "racism and anti-Semitic hatred", calling "suicide bombers martyrs", and urging "Muslims to kill Jewish people".^[12] As in other countries, HT preaches that re-establishing the caliphate is a religious obligation of Muslims,^[13] that Western countries are waging war against Islam,^[14] that "democracy",^[15] patriotic feeling for, assimilation into, or voting in a non-Muslim country/society^[16] are forbidden in Islam.^[17]

In Britain, the party describes itself as "focused on directing Muslims to make a positive contribution to society whilst preserving their Islamic identity", according to an HT Media Pack issued after talk of proscribing the party developed.^[18] In its work with non-Muslims, the party states it has engaged in panel discussions that "have helped to overcome the intellectual entrenchment" that characterises "most of today's debate" between Muslim and non-Muslim cultures, and hopes that its advancement of "Islamic values and culture" will make a contribution towards "solving" Western society's problems of "racism, alcohol abuse, substance misuse, family breakdown, sexual abuse and the decline in morality".^[18] The party seeks out young Muslims (15-18-years old), attracting interest by offering football, trips, workshops, and residential after-school homework club.^{[Note 3]} Potential party members start with the study of party texts in "Halaqa" study circles.^[20][21]

As of 2007, HTB "dominate[d]" the Islamist "scene" in Britain with an estimated 8,500 members (compared to only 1,000 for the rival, Muslim Association of Britain) according to a report in Foreign Affairs Journal.^[22] However, two years later, another report estimated HTB to be much smaller, with only approximately 2000 activists—the most active numbering approximately 100–200.^[23] HTB conferences in 2002 and 2003 drew over 6,000 people,^[24][25] but a 2009 HTB conference was attended by "no more" than 1000 people.^[26]

As of mid-2015, a British GP known by the pseudonym "Abdul Wahid" was the leader of HT Britain.^[27] According to an ex-member, as of 2006, HTB was funded by private donations and membership revenue – members typically donating ten percent of their income to the party.^[28]

In January 2024, the government declared its intention to designate Hizb ut-Tahrir as a proscribed terrorist organization;^[8] the group was formally banned on 19 January after parliamentary approval.^[7]

Cite error: There are <ref group=Note> tags on this page, but the references will not show without a {{reflist|group=Note}} template (see the help page).