Transport for London faces backlash over ads featuring Mufti Menk

Critics urge TfL to reconsider decision to display ads, citing controversial imagery and messages on exploitation

Transport for London (TfL) is under fire for allowing advertisements on its buses and tubes that feature Islamic preacher Ismail ibn Musa Menk, known as Mufti Menk, holding a briefcase full of burning US dollars. 

The campaign, which promotes Islamic finance startup Wahed, urges commuters to “withdraw from exploitation” and has raised concerns about the appropriateness of the imagery.

Critics have called for TfL, overseen by London Mayor Sadiq Khan, to reconsider its decision to display the billboards, which depict Menk surrounded by flames and dollar bills. One prominent poster shows Menk alongside text claiming that charging interest on loans was once considered "exploitation," contributing to a “massive wealth gap.”

Menk, a motivational speaker and cleric, has previously faced bans from entering Singapore and Denmark due to accusations of promoting divisive teachings. In 2013, he sparked controversy when he described gay people as “worse than animals,” a statement he later retracted.

Susan Hall, a Conservative member of the London Assembly, criticised TfL's decision to run the adverts, highlighting the apparent inconsistency in their advertising policies. 

“If Wahed had wanted to advertise their platform with a high-calorie meal on the Tube, it would be banned, but apparently a preacher banned from other countries for promoting religious discord is fine,” she said. Hall urged TfL to reconsider the suitability of the advert, especially given its swift action against other campaigns.

The controversy contrasts sharply with TfL’s recent decision to ban advertisements for comedian Ed Gamble's tour due to junk food guidelines. Gamble was forced to replace images of a hot dog on his posters with a cucumber after TfL deemed the original advert a violation of its advertising policy.

This is not the first time TfL has faced accusations of censorship. Earlier this year, it blocked an advert from Muzz Social, a platform for Muslims, which included provocative statements regarding social media's impact on Muslims. TfL cited potential widespread offence as the reason for the ban.

A TfL spokesperson stated that the Wahed advert was reviewed and deemed compliant with their advertising policy. They clarified that the Mayor has no role in approving ads on the network.

Meanwhile, a spokesperson for the Mayor of London emphasised that there is “no place for hate in London” and condemned any language that divides the city’s diverse communities.

In addition to Menk, Wahed’s advertising campaign features Khabib Nurmagomedov, a former UFC champion known for his ties to controversial Chechen leader Ramzan Kadyrov. 

Wahed is an online platform that enables users to invest in accordance with Islamic principles, avoiding sectors like tobacco, alcohol, and gambling, and refraining from charging interest on deposits.

The company is backed by significant investors, including Saudi Aramco and football player Paul Pogba, and is regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority.