| The London Circle | 07 Feb 2024

With the scenes of war crimes committed against the people of Gaza, it’s almost inconceivable that a reasonable human being can be so oblivious and so uncompassionate….Until the web of interests is looked at more closely.

The complex web of interests that link politicians with the business, media and the security sectors, tells of the possible reasons how so many decision-makers can see so unempathetic amid the war crimes committed by Israel in Gaza.

A corruption on levels that are beyond the vast majority of ordinary citizens is taking place at the risk of the soul and morality of society as a whole.

Anas Altikriti has a conversation with Lowkey about this as well as about his career, take on the music industry and the future as seen by the youth today.

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Guests:

|  Kareem Dennis,  AKA British Iraqi Rapper Lowkey

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| The London Circle | 31 Jan 2024

The genocide committed by Israel against Israel, which approaches its fifth month has had a significant impact on the entire world, not least on public opinion and awareness regarding the case of Palestine.

The effect that Gaza has had on the entire world has been extremely significant, not least on Public Opinion, and especially that of the younger generations who receive their news and information from social media and alternative sources to mainstream news channels.

The impact on politics, the media, legal institutions and many others has been indelible, and the Palestinian narrative has dominated its Israeli counterpart. However, how far will this impact last and to what extent will it prove to be transformative of realities that have been uncovered as immoral, hypocritical and worse?

Anas Altikriti talks with Chris Bambery about the present and the future amid Gaza.

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Guests:

|  Chris Bambery,  Author and Political Activist

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| The London Circle | 24 Jan 2024

As the world is focused on the genocide taking place in Gaza, Sudan enters its tenth month of a civil war that has consumed the entire country and created a crisis of significant proportions.

With the Rapid Support Forces dominating the armed clash with the Sudanese Armed Forces, and overtaking vital strategic positions, news of massacres, looting, rape and gross abuse continue to emerge.

Sudan, a country renowned for its natural and mineral riches, despite its poor infrastructure and mis-management over several administrations, is witnessing a civil war that has resulted in millions displaced and the country brought to a halt, while various local, regional and even international forces play havoc with its stability, security and future.

Anas Altikriti discusses this catastrophe in detail with Dr. Mohammed Al-Amin Othman.

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Guests:

|  Dr. Mohammed Al-Amin Othman, Sudanese British Political Analyst

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| The London Circle | 17 Jan 2024

Following a genocidal campaign committed by Israel against the people of Gaza, that has claimed thousands and thousands of lives, mostly children and women, how seriously does the world hold the notion of Human Rights?

Indeed, since 9-11 and the introduction of terrorism laws that have disproportionately targeted Muslims, one could claim that Human Rights is very much a stick with which to beat third-world countries and ethnic and religious minorities, rather than a pillar of Western civilization, as the claim goes.

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Guests:

|  Masoud Shadjareh

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| The London Circle | 10 Jan 2024

For almost 13 years, the Asaad Regime in Damascus has been overseeing the massacre of hundreds of thousands of Syrians, many by means of illegal chemical and biological weapons, the destruction of countless Syrian towns and cities and the displacement of almost half the Syrian population, yet it seems that the international justice system has failed in bringing any of the regime’s figures to justice. Why?

The Asaad regime is one of the most brutal regimes in the world and the means by which it has maintained its grip on power in the last 12 years has been nothing short of barbaric. Millions of Syrians have paid the price of asking for freedom, democracy and human rights, with their blood, their homes, their possessions and with their lives. Yet, despite the passage of time, justice seems illusive.

Ibrahim Olabi discusses with Anas Altikriti what has been done before the international justice, what are the impediments and challenges, and what are the gains that are being achieved in the pursuit for justice for the Syrian people.

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Guests:

| Ibrahim Olabi, Syrian British Barrister 

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| The London Circle | 20 Dec 2023

Coming from a housing estate in Central London, and facing substantial challenges, Hamza Taouzzale decided early on to work towards addressing the social challenges of his neighbourhood, and ended up sitting next to the Royal Family and being a star guest at the King’s Coronation.

How much do social obstacles contribute towards making or breaking an individual? The fact that many young people end up involved with gangs, crime and drugs could be seen as a normal outcome, but the journey of Hamza Taouzzale is one which defies the normal and proves the value of self-belief couples with familial support.

At the age of 16, Taouzzale became a member of the Youth Parliament, and from then a short journey to the most celebrated of world stages as Lord Mayor of the City of Westminster.

He discusses with Anas Altikriti the issues facing young people who come from housing estates, and the opportunities available to them to become elements of change in their local and national communities. He also discusses the position of Labour in light of the genocide committed in Gaza and the leadership’s silence as to the crime committed and how that will likely impact the outcome of the next general elections.

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Guests:

| Hamza Taouzzale, Former Lord Mayor of the City of Westminster

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| The London Circle | 29 Nov 2023

In light of over 50 days of incessant shelling and destruction of Gaza, which left over 14,000 civilians dead, what use is International Law, and what good does labelling the actions of Israel as War Crimes, bring?

Indeed, what has the International community done for numerous cases of gross violations, such as Syria, Bangladesh, the Uyghurs and Yemen, to mention but a few? Is this not a crisis point which threatens the status quo around the world?

Whilst the prospect of seeing war criminals standing trial at the ICC is an exciting one, but realistically the possibility of that happening is fairly minimal. The crisis facing the International Community is the enforceability of International Law and proving that war criminals cannot get away with committing the most heinous crimes.

With thousands dead and wounded in Gaza and with war crimes galore being committed before the eyes of the world, what chance is there that the perpetrators will be hold to account and prosecuted?

These and many more issues are discussed with Toby Cadman, an expert in Human Rights law and the ICC.

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Guests:

| Toby Cadman, Head of Chambers, Geurnica 37

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| The London Circle | 15 Nov 2023

The Muslim Charity Sector in the UK is one of the most, if not the most thriving of all charitable sectors. Tens of millions pour into and out of this sector every year and Muslims are described as the most generous faith community in the UK, year after year.

What are the opportunities to achieve real growth and development for the Muslim community and all of society, and what are the main challenges?

The Charity Commission has for some time now been a major part of the PREVENT strategy, and has deliberately targeted Muslim charities, in a serious departure from the CC’s main remit. This not only constitutes a major hindrance to the efforts of Muslim charities, but creates a climate of uncertainty throughout a community where charitable work is considered a cornerstone.

Jahangir Mohammed of the Ayaan Institute discusses with Anas Altikriti the successes, opportunities and challenges facing Muslim charities in the UK.

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Guests:

| Jahangir Mohammed,  Director, Ayaan Institute.

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| The London Circle | 08 Nov 2023

Hundreds of thousands continue to flood the streets of London every week in support of Palestine. Flags and chants galore, despite threats from the Home Secretary. This coming Saturday an even bigger crowd is expected. But how do you build this momentum?

John Rees of Stop the War Coalition discusses with Anas Altikriti the legacy of the Pro-Palestine campaign in the UK and where it finds itself in light of the genocide being committed in Gaza as we speak.

They remember the founding figures of the movement and the many challenges it encountered at the hands of a series of governments that have come and gone. Further, the position of the current Home Secretary and her incessant attempts to criminalise these protests, and what it means for Gaza and for the campaign for Palestine in the UK.

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Guests:

| John Rees, Co-Founder, Stop the War Coalition.

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| The London Circle | 01 Nov 2023

Story telling is surely one of the most profound means of understanding the meaning of struggle, and Bernt Hermele has certainly made listening to stories of survivors of the Holocaust as well as those who suffer the Israeli occupation of Palestine, a form of art.

The quest to know and understand is powerfully manifested in Bernt Hermele’s story of conversion from growing up as a Zionist Jew, to losing his mother in a suicide attack in Netanya. His quest for understanding is an impressive account of a personal journey for self-discovery amid the chaos and torment of occupation, and his reference to the Nakba in both his book and his podcast is profound and telling.

Bernt Hermele, Swedish Journalist, Author and Documentary Maker talks with Anas Altikriti about his journey.

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Guests:

| Bernt Hermele, Swedish Journalist, Author and Documentary Maker.

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