Protesters in Tehran marked Al-Quds day by setting ablaze US and Israeli flags as they marched through the city. The Iranian capital witnessed large crowds displaying Iranian flags and applauding speeches delivered by influential clerics.
The event, which is an annual gathering in solidarity with the Palestinian cause, included marches and patriotic festivities. Video footage captured the fervor of the protestors burning flags and chanting anti-American and anti-Israeli slogans.
The Al-Quds day march is a yearly demonstration established by revolutionary leader Ruhollah Khomeini in 1979. It occurs on the final Friday of Ramadan and garners global participation from pro-Palestine advocates.
Khomeini’s vision was to foster Muslim unity in support of Palestinians and denounce Israeli dominance in Jerusalem. In the UK, authorities have prohibited a planned pro-Palestinian Al-Quds day march, citing concerns of potential public unrest.
Home Secretary Shabana Mahmood sanctioned the ban following a request from London’s Metropolitan Police, marking it as London’s first banned protest in over a decade. The decision stemmed from criticisms linking the event to support for the Iranian government.
Ms. Mahmood justified the ban as a measure to prevent significant public disturbances amidst the ongoing Middle East conflicts. She emphasized the enforcement of strict regulations should any form of protest proceed, condemning any incitement of hatred or division.
The Islamic Human Rights Commission (IHRC), the group behind the demonstration, has maintained that the event is consistently peaceful and positive. This marks the first instance of a protest being banned in London since 2012.