The NHS has suspended a GP who chairs the UK branch of Hizb ut-Tahrir, which was designated a terrorist group last week.
Dr. Wahid Shaida, also known as Abdul Wahid, has been suspended from the NHS primary care performers list, an an NHS London spokesperson said on Monday.
Hizb ut-Tahrir, a revolutionary Islamic party, was proscribed by the Home Office on Jan. 15 after the group caused outrage by calling for “jihad by armies of the Muslim countries” in pro-Palestinian rallies in London.
The Epoch Times has contacted NHS London to confirm whether there is an ongoing investigation.
Since Home Secretary Jame Cleverly announced the decision to proscribe Hizb ut-Tahrir on Jan. 15, the General Medical Council (GMC) was also urged to revoke Dr. Shaida’s license.
In an email to The Epoch Times, the GMC said it can’t confirm whether it’s investigating a doctor unless they have been suspended.
“We are aware of the concerns that have been raised. We can and will investigate serious concerns that suggest patient safety or the public’s confidence in doctors may be at risk and will take action where it is necessary,” a spokesperson said.
“However, we are only able to confirm the publicly available information about individual doctors as it appears on the medical register.”
The spokesperson clarified that the GMC refers doctors to the Medical Practitioners Tribunal Service (MPTS) following investigations when it’s appropriate, and the MPTS will decide on “whether a doctor’s fitness to practise is impaired and if so the sanction.”
A spokesperson for the MPTS told The Epoch Times that it publishes scheduled hearings on its website, and there is no hearing on Dr. Wahid Shaida’s fitness to practise published at this time.
Calls for Jihad
The group dominated media headlines after the Israel–Hamas war broke out after calling for jihad in London.On Oct. 21, 2023, Hizb ut-Tahrir supporters held a banner that read “Muslim armies, rescue the people of Palestine” at pro-Palestine rallies at two embassies.
At least one demonstrator chanted “Jihad! Jihad!” after a speaker asked, “What is the solution to liberate people in the concentration camp of Palestine?”
In livestreamed footage of the event, the speaker answered his rhetorical question moments later by saying the “only” solution to “rescue the people of Palestine” is “jihad by armies of the Muslim countries,” calling on “people with arms” in Egypt, Pakistan, Saudi Arabia, Jordan, and “across the Muslim world” to “break the chain of command.”
A row broke out between the Metropolitan Police and ministers after the Met said the chant was lawful, and the word “jihad” has “a number of meanings.”
Prime Minister Rishi Sunak said that the Met had the power “to arrest those who are inciting violence or racial hatred,” while Met Commissioner Sir Mark Rowley said new laws are needed to counter extremism.
Jonathan Hall, KC, the independent reviewer of terrorism legislation, said at the time that people seen shouting “jihad” in the clip had been “very careful” to call on the army of Egypt, which is an official force, rather than any individuals, to pursue jihad. However, he believes it is too tricky to make new laws against hateful extremism without “going too far” in restricting free speech.
Hamas triggered the war on Oct. 7 by slaughtering some 1,200 Israelis and taking over 240 people hostage.
The terrorists have also raped women and girls, and some bodies, including those of babies, have been found to be burnt or decapitated.
Most victims are civilians.
Israel has not reported further civilian deaths since, while the death toll in Gaza has passed 25,000, according to the Hamas-controlled Gazan health ministry.
Describing the Oct. 7 Hamas attack, Dr. Shaida has said Hamas “gave the enemy a punch on the nose,” adding, “and it’s a very welcome punch on the nose.”
