London Mayor Criticized for Allowing Controversial Subway Ad
London Mayor Sadiq Khan is under fire for allowing an advertisement featuring a contentious Islamic preacher burning Dollar and Euro bills to be displayed on subway advertising billboards. The ad was placed inside trains and on platforms and shows Islamic preacher Ismail ibn Musa Menk with burning US dollars and the caption “Join the money revolution.”
Content of the Advertisement
Another version of the ad, for an Islamic finance startup called Wahed, shows the Muslim preacher burning a suitcase full of dollars with the caption “withdraw from Riba,” a concept in Islamic banking that refers to charged interest. The ad has also been displayed on the side of buses in London.
Controversial Preacher
Menk, who is banned from several countries for inflammatory teachings, has previously referred to gay people as “filthy” and “worse than animals,” and has made other extreme claims.
Accusations of Double Standards
Critics argue that the approval of the ads by TFL, which is operated by the Mayor of London, represents a double standard, given that other, less provocative ads have been removed or rejected. Susan Hall, a Conservative member of the London Assembly and former mayoral candidate, criticized the Mayor's policing of advertising. She pointed out that if Wahed had wanted to advertise their platform with a high-calorie meal on the Tube, it would have been banned, but apparently, a preacher banned from other countries for promoting religious discord is acceptable.
Mayor's Response
When confronted with the ads during a Mayor’s Question Time at the London Assembly, Khan responded that he had not yet read the ad but would look into it.
Past Controversies
In the past, TfL has also banned ads such as Protein World’s weight loss adverts which featured an attractive woman in a bikini with the caption “beach body ready”. Sadiq Khan claimed that such ads encouraged ‘negative body images’. The recent Heinz ad was also removed after people claimed that the black bride’s absent father perpetuated a stereotype.
TfL's Statement
A TFL statement regarding the Wahed ads claims “This advert was reviewed and found to comply with our advertising policy, which reflects legal requirements. The Mayor has no involvement in approving or deciding which ads run on the TfL network.”
Additional Controversies
Some of the Wahed ads also feature former UFC fighter Khabib Nurmagomedov, who has close links to Russian warlord Ramzan Kadyrov, a Putin ally.
Bottom Line
The decision to allow this controversial advertisement to be displayed on London's subway system raises questions about the standards for advertising in public spaces. It also highlights the ongoing debate about freedom of speech and the balance between allowing diverse voices to be heard and preventing the spread of potentially harmful messages. What are your thoughts on this issue? Share this article with your friends and discuss. Don't forget to sign up for the Daily Briefing, which is every day at 6 pm.
