An extreme Islamist organization banned in Germany and the United Kingdom is hosting a conference in Mississauga to discuss obstacles to re-establishing an Islamic caliphate.
Hizb ut-Tahrir Canada is promoting its Khilafah Conference – translating to caliphate – which is set to take place at noon on January 18 in Mississauga, Ont.
Several speakers at the Khilafah Conference are scheduled to talk about the group’s ideological goals, grievances and obstacles to reconstituting an Islamic caliphate. They also plan to discuss their support for Palestinians in the Israel-Palestine conflict.
In a promotional video for the conference, a Hizb ut-Tahrir follower romanticizes the glory of former caliphates, promising that the Muslim world will rise up again to reestablish the caliphate.
“Since losing the Khilafah, which was our shield, the Ummah has witnessed nothing short of bloodshed, foreign occupation, invasions, and oppression over these last 100 years. Despite this, the colonialist powers are still afraid of the Ummah’s latent strength,” is claimed in the video.
Hizb ut-Tahrir is a global, pan-Islamic organization that seeks to overthrow the modern global order and unite the world’s Muslims under an Islamic caliphate that would enshrine Sharia law as the sole legitimate system of rules.
Hizb ut-Tahrir’s ideology has been likened to ISIS or Al-Qaeda in its pursuit of a modern Islamic caliphate and their embrace of violence means to achieve this end, though they do not recognize ISIS’ caliphate.
While the group has not gained a following of armed combatants like other Islamic terrorist organizations, Hizb ut-Tahrir’s virulent anti-Western and antisemitic message has been described as a “conveyor belt for terrorists.”
Hizb ut-Tahrir is banned in several western, Middle Eastern, and Asian countries including Germany, Bangladesh, Egypt, Jordan, Kazakhstan, Lebanon, China, Turkey, and Saudi Arabia.
The United Kingdom is the most recent country to take action against Hizb ut-Tahrir, with the former Conservative government issuing a banning order in 2024 after Hizb ut-Tahrir applauded the Oct. 7 terrorist attack and its supporters chanted for “jihad” at a pro-Palestine rally.
Last year’s Khilafah Conference 2024 was cancelled one day after the U.K. listed Hizb ut-Tahrir as a terrorist entity.
Canada has not joined the group of countries who have banned Hizb ut-Tahrir despite the organization operating a Canadian branch.
Hizb ut-Tahrir and Public Safety Canada did not respond to True North’s requests for comment by deadline.
