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Leicester South MP Barred Access, Citing Muslim Faith,A British Member of Parliament, Shockat Adam, was denied entry to the Al-Aqsa Mosque in Jerusalem, a holy site revered by Muslims worldwide, because he is Muslim. The incident occurred last week during a visit to the occupied Palestinian territories, igniting a wave of condemnation from Muslim communities and raising concerns about religious discrimination, Daily Dazzling confirmed.
Shockat Adam, the Independent MP for Leicester South, was born in Malawi in November 1972, into a Muslim Memon family of Gujarati descent. He grew up in Leicester and studied optometry at the University of Manchester Institute of Science and Technology. Adam was elected as an MP in 2024.
According to reports, Adam and his colleagues visited Al-Aqsa Mosque on April 23, 2025. While his colleagues were allowed to pass through an Israel-controlled gate, Adam was stopped. When questioned by Adam, an Israeli settler stated that he was being denied entry because of his Muslim faith. Adam, who has been a vocal advocate for Palestinian rights, described the experience as "shocking" and "intimidatory." He also reported witnessing increased presence of armed Israeli settlers at the Al-Aqsa compound, engaging in provocative acts such as dancing and singing, celebrating the prospect of building a Jewish temple on the site.
The incident has sparked outrage among Muslims and pro-Palestine activists. Many view it as a blatant act of religious discrimination and a violation of international law. The denial of access to a place of worship is seen as a serious infringement on religious freedom.
The UK government has yet to issue a strong statement on the incident. However, there is growing pressure on the government to take a firm stance and demand accountability from Israeli authorities. Some MPs are calling for sanctions against Israel and a formal recognition of the State of Palestine.
The Al-Aqsa Mosque is a frequent flashpoint in the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. Israel controls access to the site, often imposing restrictions on Palestinian worshippers, particularly during Ramadan. Palestinians view these restrictions as part of Israel's efforts to exert greater control over East Jerusalem and its holy sites. The incident involving Shockat Adam has further heightened tensions and fueled concerns about the future of Al-Aqsa Mosque.
