Pro-Khamenei organisations are currently operating within twenty-seven British universities, where they have been organising protests and sharing tributes to mourn the death of Iran's Supreme Leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei. Social media posts from various Islamic societies depict the despotic leader as a 'martyr' and even direct students towards mental health resources for 'navigating collective grief'.
Vigils and Flag-Burning Incidents
These tributes to one of the world's most brutal dictators have been spearheaded by the universities' Ahlul-Bayt Islamic societies (ABSoc). Last week, ABSoc members at the University of Manchester participated in a candlelit vigil, which resulted in tense clashes with anti-Iranian regime protesters. Meanwhile, at a separate vigil in Birmingham, supporters of the Iranian regime were seen burning an Israeli flag while chanting 'death to the IDF'.
Pressure Mounts on London March
Concurrently, pressure is increasing on police to ban the annual Al Quds Day march, organised by the Islamic Human Rights Commission in support of Iran's ayatollahs. The march is scheduled to shut down central London's streets this Sunday, coinciding with Mother's Day. Khamenei presided over a regime notorious for slaughtering thousands of its own citizens, repressing women, and funding terrorist organisations globally. He was killed on February 28th during a joint US-Israeli airstrike operation targeting his compound.
Research by The Henry Jackson Society
The national security think-tank, The Henry Jackson Society, conducted research to uncover the extent of student-led Islamic societies publishing supportive posts for the regime. Universities where such activity has been documented include University College London, Cambridge, Manchester, Edinburgh, Bristol, Southampton, Surrey, Cardiff, Glasgow, Brunel, Kingston, Westminster, Kings College London, and Imperial College London.
For instance, the Leeds Ahlul-Bayt Islamic Society's Instagram profile picture is currently displayed in black, appearing as a sign of mourning. The group recently posted a coloured sketch on its Instagram Story depicting the deceased Ayatollah Ali Khamenei handing the Iranian flag to his son, Mojtaba, whose image is shown in a mirror. This follows the clerical Assembly of Experts announcing Mojtaba as his father's successor as Supreme Leader.
Commemorative Events and Condolences
Some societies have organised commemorative events on campus, while others have posted condolence graphics, shared vigil materials, or cancelled events 'in honour of our beloved Shuhada'. The Henry Jackson Society is now urging universities and the Department for Education to urgently review how student societies are monitored and funded.
Emma Schubart, Research Fellow at The Henry Jackson Society, stated: 'It is extraordinary that student societies across at least 27 British universities have openly mourned the leader of one of the world's most repressive regimes. Ayatollah Khamenei presided over a government responsible for brutal repression at home and the sponsorship of terrorism abroad. Seeing him described as a "martyr" and honoured on UK campuses should concern anyone who cares about democratic values.'
She added: 'The Government is right to recognise that extremism and radicalisation remain serious problems within parts of the university sector. But these cases show just how deeply the issue runs. Universities must ensure their campuses are not being used as platforms to glorify authoritarian regimes or spread extremist narratives.'
Outrage and Condemnation
Last week, the ABSoc at University College London sparked significant outrage by labelling Khamenei's death as an 'unimaginable loss'. The society declared 'this is not the end to resistance', adding: 'The Shia in the West must remain aware and ready'. They posted a lengthy statement expressing 'sincere condolences on the martyrdom of our beloved', and urged followers not to 'allow the enemies of justice to rejoice over Muslim blood'.
Former Home Secretary Suella Braverman condemned the society's post, calling it a 'disgrace'. Speaking in Parliament, she said: 'Disgracefully, the pro-Ayatollah student society plans to host a commemorative event in name of the 'fallen' on the campus of University College London, i.e. in support of those who supported the brutal IRGC regime. This is utterly wrong, that taxpayer-funded university resource is being used to propagate the murderous ideology of the Tehran regime which has attacked UK bases and with whom we are effectively at war.'
University Responses and Defence
UCL student and author Dov Forman described the statement as 'extraordinary', noting: 'A UCL student society publicly mourning Ayatollah Khamenei and urging Shia in the West to stay 'aware and ready'. On a UK campus. Universities cannot keep pretending this is just 'student expression.'
However, the UCL society defended itself against criticism, comparing Khamenei to the Pope in a social media post last Monday. They wrote: 'For millions of Shia Muslims worldwide, Ayatollah Khamenei occupies a role broadly analogous to that of the Pope within Catholicism. A supreme religious authority whose death or targeting is experienced not merely as a political event, but as a profound communal and spiritual shock.'
The society argued that their tribute was not 'incitement, endorsement of violence, or unlawful mobilisation', and maintained that mourning the Iranian leader constituted 'lawful expression' protected under freedom of expression and academic freedom.
A UCL spokesperson responded: 'We are looking into social media posts by the AhlulBayt Islamic Society, which have led to a number of complaints. We recognise that the recent events and escalation of conflict in the Middle East and the wider region are causing significant distress for many members of our community. With students and staff from a wide range of backgrounds, our priority is to ensure that everyone feels safe, respected, and supported. UCL has in place a range of dedicated, expert support, both practical and emotional, for students and staff affected by conflict.'
Government Stance
A Department for Education spokesman stated: 'We condemn all extremist intimidation, harassment and incitement to hatred in our universities. Where public mourning involves this sort of unacceptable behaviour, it should not be tolerated. We are absolutely committed to protecting lawful free speech and academic freedom, but those freedoms do not extend to behaviour that intimidates others.'
The full list of twenty-seven universities linked to student groups mourning Iran's Supreme Leader, as identified by The Henry Jackson Society, includes: University College of London, University of Greenwich, University of Cambridge, Cardiff University, The University of Manchester, University of Huddersfield, University of Portsmouth, The University of Edinburgh, University of Bristol, University of Southampton, University of Surrey, City St George's University of London, Birmingham City University, University of Aberdeen, King's College London, Brunel University, Kingston University, University of Glasgow, University of Westminster, Imperial College London, Queen Mary University of London, Aston University, University of Leicester, Royal Holloway University of London, The University of Sheffield, and University of Leeds.
