• Akhmed Yakoob and Shakeel Afsar appeared on GB News, where they were subjected to a barrage of Islamophobic questions.
• The interview invoked nearly every Islamophobic stereotype, with antagonistic panelists pressing the pair on topics like antisemitism, Shariah law.
After announcing the Independent Candidates Alliance, Akhmed Yakoob and Shakeel Afsar were invited onto the right-wing GB News platform. Predictably, they were bombarded with a torrent of Islamophobic questions during the interview which aired on Monday night.
GB News presenter Ben Leo, opened the segment with a deceptive introduction of the two men by claiming they were from an ‘Islamic party’. Furthermore, he labelled the Independent Candidate Alliance as a ‘Pro-Islam party alliance’. Yakoob later defiantly questioned why they were given such an erroneous introduction and clarified that it was not an Islamic party. Notably, we wouldn’t assume anyone was forming a Christian party merely because they belong to the Christian faith.
Shakeel was later foolishly asked, “Are Jews allowed in your party?” “We represent people regardless of their class, colour or creed”, Shakeel sharply responded.
Yaqoob was pressed about his comments on the Minted Minds podcast where he said, “We are not here to take part, we are here to take over” after which he was seen laughing. Yaqoob, unwavering in his response affirmed his stance and explained that he wanted to take over from the far-right.
From antisemitism and the events of October 7 to misogyny, Shari’ah law, and grooming gangs, nearly every Islamophobic stereotype was invoked during the segment, where a panel of equally Islamophobic and antagonistic guests were called to ask the two men questions.
The brothers from Birmingham seemed unfazed by the ridiculous questions posed to them, even affirming, “Pedophiles in this country are more likely to be middle aged white men who look like you!”
Shakeel Afsar has defiantly spoken out against injustice in the past— in relation to the oppression of Muslims in India and various other causes.
Ben Leo wore a smug expression on his face throughout the interview. However, a recent two-year analysis of GB News content suggests that the right-wing channel harbours deep-seated hostility toward Islam and Muslims, potentially stoking community tensions and contributing to civil unrest. Furthermore, in 2023 and 2024, GB News was declared by Ofcom as breaching impartiality. These findings affirm that GB News is, quite simply, a news outlet unworthy of being taken seriously.
