Leeds informed by Smyth amid update on ‘extremist preacher’ at Elland Road event
Leeds United are caught up in a new controversy with Elland Road set to hold a Ramadan event on Saturday 22 February.
The Centenary Pavillion is set to welcome One Ummah’s Together As One Ramadan Tour for 2025, visiting London, Birmingham, Manchester, Leeds and Glasgow between 19 and 23 February.
While the event is still set to go ahead at Elland Road, social media has exploded after realising Mohamed Hoblos would be one of the names attending, a figure who has been dubbed an “extremist preacher”.
His views have raised eyebrows after being connected with those attending Elland Road next week.
The Home Office are ready to block Hoblos from entering the UK due to his presence being “not conducive to the public good” [Jewish News].
He has already been banned from Germany and the Netherlands.
The event will also include names such as Mufti Muneer, Shoaib, Ustadh Abu Taymiyyah, Ustadh Abdul Ahad, and Qari Abdul Wahab Tahir, but no longer Hoblos despite his name starting the list on One Ummah’s website.
Leeds United respond after social media outrage
While an official statement from the charity running the event has stated Hoblos will not be in attendance, it has been pointed out that he remains a speaker on their website.
Responding via X, Graham Smyth wrote: “I highlighted that to the club. The statement line about due diligence is eyebrow-raising enough.
“But now that statement is out and with the national media on the story already (and the charity reassuring their venue hosts) it’d be lunacy for them to involve him in any way.”
Concern grows over Elland Road event
Despite Smyth’s update, concerns continue to grow among supporters, with more and more discovering Hoblos’ extreme views and voicing their anger and disappointment on social media.
I highlighted that to the club. The statement line about due diligence is eyebrow raising enough. But now that statement is out and with the national media on the story already (and the charity reassuring their venue hosts) it’d be lunacy for them to involve him in any way.
— Graham Smyth (@GrahamSmyth) February 15, 2025
One Ummah’s event is still set to go ahead at the Centenary Pavillion, but with Hoblos nowhere in attendance as speakers lead “inspiring” talks ahead of Ramadan.
Observed by Muslims worldwide, often seen in football when players break their fasts on the pitch, Ramadan will begin on Saturday 1 March this year ending at sundown on Sunday 30 March.
With the Whites facing Sunderland on Monday 17 February, and then Sheffield United on Monday 24 February, Elland Road’s event will not clash with any home matches.
Daniel Farke will be hoping his side can return to the top of the Championship table when taking on the Black Cats, having played one game fewer than the Blades and Burnley.