“HT seeks to establish a global caliphate and presents its Islamist ideology (based on the writings of the organization’s founder, Taqiuddin Nahbani) as an alternative to both capitalism and secular democracy.” So reads the doctrine of Hizb ut-Tahrir, a designated terrorist organization which is set to hold a caliphate conference in Canada later this month.
Hizb ut-Tahrir Canada, a branch of a global Islamist organization banned in numerous countries across the West, Middle East, and Asia, is hosting its “Khilafah Conference” on January 18, 2025, in Ontario. Despite being linked to extremism and being banned in most Arab and Central Asian nations, as well as Russia, China, Turkey, Germany, Pakistan, and the UK, Hizb ut-Tahrir operates legally and openly in Canada.
Initially announced for Mississauga, the event is now reportedly set to take place in Hamilton. Titled “The Khilafah (Caliphate): Eliminating the Obstacles that are Delaying its Return,” it will promote the group’s vision of a global Islamic state governed by Sharia law, rejecting secular democracy, and express its support for Palestinians in the Israel-Palestine conflict.
Hizb ut-Tahrir, founded in East Jerusalem in 1953 by Islamic scholar Taqi al-Din al-Nabhani, opposes the state of Israel and seeks to unite the Muslim world under a global Islamic caliphate, or khilafah. Over the decades, the group has expanded its presence to at least 45 countries, including Canada, the United States, the UK, and Australia. Despite its global reach, Hizb ut-Tahrir has been banned in many nations for promoting antisemitism and terrorism.
In January 2024, the UK formally designated Hizb ut-Tahrir a terrorist organization, citing its endorsement of the October 7 terrorist attack, its antisemitic rhetoric, and its calls for jihad at a pro-Palestine rally. This decision made it the 80th group banned in Britain, alongside al-Qaeda, Hamas, and its British offshoot, al-Muhajiroun. However, Canada has not banned Hizb ut-Tahrir despite its controversial activities.
Hizb ut-Tahrir advocates for uniting Muslims under a caliphate governed by Sharia law, with ideology often compared to groups like ISIS or Al-Qaeda, though it does not recognize ISIS’s caliphate. While the group lacks an armed wing, it is criticized for promoting anti-Western and antisemitic views and has been described as a “conveyor belt for terrorists.”
In promotional materials, the group invoked historical Muslim conquests and criticized Western “colonialist superpowers,” claiming the Muslim community (Ummah) must take political action to revive the caliphate. A spokesperson alleged the West fears the Ummah’s “latent strength” and dismissed the power of modern states, asserting the ultimate strength lies with Allah. Hizb ut-Tahrir, founded in.
According to a report by the Counter Extremism Project, Hizb ut-Tahrir (HT) seeks to establish a global Islamic caliphate governed by Sharia law, where all Muslims live under Islamic rule, positioning its Islamist ideology as an alternative to capitalism and secular democracy. The group employs a three-phase strategy: first, creating a core Muslim leadership; second, spreading its ideology to the broader Muslim community; and finally, achieving regime change through widespread public support, potentially facilitated by military intervention if soldiers adopt its worldview. Although HT officially eschews violence, its rhetoric supports jihad and endorses violence against Israel and Jews, whom it views as occupying Islamic lands.
The planned conference titled “The Khilafah (Caliphate): Eliminating the Obstacles that are Delaying its Return” fits into the second phase of Hizb ut-Tahrir’s (HT) strategy. This phase focuses on spreading its ideology to the broader Muslim community by promoting its vision of a global Islamic caliphate governed by Sharia law. Through events like this conference, HT seeks to disseminate its Islamist ideology, rally support among Muslims, and frame its vision as an alternative to capitalism and secular democracy. The conference serves as a platform to build ideological momentum and garner public backing, which is essential for the group’s ultimate goal of achieving regime change and establishing a caliphate.
HT’s anti-Western narrative blames Western policies for violence against Muslims, fostering a sense of grievance and victimhood among followers. This narrative, coupled with HT’s strict socio-political doctrine, has contributed to instances of radicalization. For example, a 15-year-old in Australia reportedly attended an HT event before committing a politically motivated shooting.
Additionally, HT materials have called for the killing of Jews and supported jihad against Israel, including suicide bombings. These activities have led to HT being banned in several countries, including Germany and on many UK university campuses.
HT’s ideology also includes reactionary social policies, such as restricting women’s freedoms, forbidding homosexual acts, and prohibiting participation in non-Islamic celebrations. Despite presenting itself as a peaceful movement, its narrative of grievance and exclusivity creates a fertile ground for radicalization and extremist activity.
Challenging HT’s right to hold a conference in Canada, even one promoting the establishment of an Islamic caliphate, would likely be labeled as Islamophobia. In 2023, Prime Minister Justin Trudeau appointed Canada’s first Special Representative on Combatting Islamophobia, stating, “Diversity truly is one of Canada’s greatest strengths, but for many Muslims, Islamophobia is all too familiar.”
It seems Trudeau either believes HT does not genuinely seek to establish an Islamic caliphate or views such a caliphate as somehow beneficial to Canada. Either way, this situation highlights the national security risks posed to the United States by Canada’s liberal immigration policies and leniency toward extremism and terrorism.
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