Hizb Ut Tahrir, a notorious militant organization advocating for the establishment of a global Caliphate, is set to host a massive annual conference in Mississauga, Ontario, on January 18. The event, themed “The Khilafah (Caliphate): Eliminating the Obstacles Delaying Its Return”, underscores the group’s radical agenda. Hizb Ut Tahrir is banned in several countries, including Bangladesh, India, Israel, and the United States.

In a post on Facebook, the Canadian chapter of Hizb Ut Tahrir described the conference as “an opportunity to explore strategies for overcoming ‘Colonialist superpowers’ such as the United States, Europe, Russia, China, and India.” The group posed the provocative question: “Is America really so powerful that our Ummah (community) can’t defeat it?” Drawing historical parallels, the statement referenced the defeats of ancient superpowers like Rome and Persia, claiming their cities, such as Constantinople, are now “Muslim cities”.

The group’s statement continued, “What steps do we need to take to become victorious against today’s Colonialist superpowers? Learn what it will take for our Ummah to overcome America, Europe, Russia, China, and others from the position we’re in today. If you want to help create real change in our Ummah, then get this critical knowledge by attending, inshallah”. Sessions include “Nationalism and Regimes: Frontline Enemies of Islam” and “Only the Khilafah Will Liberate Palestine: Everything Else Is a Distraction”.

In 2024, Hizb Ut Tahrir’s conference was canceled in the United Kingdom after the organization was designated a terrorist group. Announcing the ban, UK Home Secretary James Cleverly stated: “Hizb Ut Tahrir is an antisemitic organization that actively promotes and encourages terrorism, including praising and celebrating the appalling October 7 attacks. Proscribing this terrorist group will ensure that anyone who belongs to or invites support for them will face consequences. It will curb Hizb Ut Tahrir’s ability to operate as it currently does”.

Hizb Ut Tahrir: A global threat

Hizb Ut Tahrir, which translates to “Party of Liberation”, operates under Sharia law and seeks to establish a global Muslim Caliphate. Founded in 1953 in then-Jordanian-controlled Jerusalem by Taqi al-Din al-Nabhani, a Palestinian Islamic scholar and former member of the Muslim Brotherhood, the group is banned in numerous countries, including the United Kingdom, Germany, Egypt, India, China, Indonesia, Russia, Turkey, and Bangladesh.

Despite being designated a terrorist organization in many parts of the world, Hizb Ut Tahrir continues to operate freely in Canada. Critics have expressed alarm over the group’s activities. Canadian Member of Parliament Kevin Vuong recently criticized outgoing Prime Minister Justin Trudeau’s government on social media, writing: “This is the story of the Justin Trudeau government and his weak public safety ministers. Under their watch, Canada has become a safe haven for terrorist supporters. Countries have designated Hizb Ut Tahrir a terrorist group – why are they allowed to host a conference in Mississauga, Canada?”

Mysteriously, Hizb Ut Tahrir has not publicly disclosed the location of its January 18 conference. Attendees are required to register through Eventbrite, where they will receive venue details. Eventbrite has also received criticism for supporting an extremist event.

Global concerns

The resurgence of Hizb Ut Tahrir’s activities has raised concerns worldwide. For instance, India’s National Investigation Agency (NIA) recently filed charges against Abdul Rehman and Mujibur Rehman, individuals linked to Hizb Ut Tahrir, for involvement in terrorist activities in Tamil Nadu and other regions of the country.

The Mississauga conference highlights the group’s ability to operate in certain regions despite widespread international condemnation. Critics argue that allowing such events provides a platform for extremist rhetoric and undermines global counterterrorism efforts.

Canada has also faced criticism for its handling of extremist groups. The outgoing Trudeau government has been accused of providing support to Khalistani separatists, which has sparked tensions with the Indian government. Trudeau has accused senior members of the Modi government of alleged transnational repression, while the Indian government accuses Canada of sheltering terrorists and criminals under the pretense of political resistance.

Hizb Ut Tahrir activities in Bangladesh

In Bangladesh, since the ouster of Sheikh Hasina through a military-backed mass revolt, Hizb Ut Tahrir has been gradually increasing its activities despite being banned. Flags of Al Qaeda and Islamic State (ISIS) are being publicly displayed by various groups, and Hizb Ut Tahrir activists openly chant anti-India, anti-Hindu, and anti-US slogans, calling for turning Bangladesh into a Caliphate. There are allegations that the Muhammad Yunus regime maintains connections with Hizb Ut Tahrir, while one of the leaders of this outfit reportedly holds a key position in Yunus’ administration.

For more than a year, Hizb Ut Tahrir has been intensifying its activities in Bangladesh, including calls to boycott products from Israeli and Jewish companies. Former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina’s government publicly demonized Israel and Jews, extending support to Palestinians and even Hamas. Bangladesh does not recognize Israel and considers it an “enemy state”. Individuals voicing support for Israel or advocating for normalization of relations between Dhaka and Jerusalem face charges of sedition and high treason. Sheikh Hasina’s government has also been accused of providing funds to Palestinian groups fighting Israel, even during economic hardships.

Implications and calls for action

As the date for Hizb Ut Tahrir’s conference approaches, scrutiny of its presence in Canada continues to grow, fueling broader discussions about national security and the limits of free expression in democratic societies. The Trudeau government’s role in harboring organizations like Hizb Ut Tahrir and Khalistani separatists under the guise of “freedom of expression” raises concerns about state patronization of terrorism.

With Donald Trump scheduled to take the presidential oath on January 20, just two days after the conference, it is essential for his administration to address the alarming rise of Islamist terrorism and the activities of pro-Caliphate groups worldwide, including in Canada and Bangladesh. Unless such threats are effectively countered, and the patrons and promoters of extremist groups dealt with decisively, the world may witness an alarming rise in Islamist terrorism, jeopardizing global peace.

As the January 18 conference of Hizb Ut Tahrir looms, the permissiveness of democratic nations like Canada in allowing extremist rhetoric under the pretext of free speech must be scrutinized. The presence and growing influence of groups like Hizb Ut Tahrir signal a dangerous erosion of global counterterrorism efforts. By providing a platform to such organizations, the Trudeau government has not only undermined Canada’s national security but has also inadvertently encouraged a broader network of extremist ideologies to flourish.

With the upcoming Trump administration set to take office on January 20, the urgency to address the spread of Islamist terror networks cannot be overstated. It is imperative that the new administration adopts a robust and uncompromising approach to counter the rise of groups like Hizb Ut Tahrir. This includes pressing allies to enact stricter policies and sanctions against such organizations, dismantling their global networks, and exposing any state-sponsored patronage enabling their operations.

Particularly in Bangladesh, where Hizb Ut Tahrir has been gaining momentum under the shadow of political and ideological instability, the international community must take decisive action. The Trump administration must rally global allies to monitor, suppress, and eliminate the activities of pro-Caliphate groups in countries where they are attempting to sow division and violence. Failure to act now could result in a catastrophic rise of Islamist terror that threatens peace, stability, and security on a global scale.

The world looks to leaders with the resolve to confront these challenges. For the sake of international peace, the time to act decisively is now.

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