How Can Zia Yusuf Reconcile Islam’s Universal Brotherhood with Reform UK’s Divisive Legacy? His flip-flopping is absolute proof of Zia Yusuf's willingness to compromise principles for 'Rice' - By General NobuNaga

How Can Zia Yusuf Reconcile Islam’s Universal Brotherhood with Reform UK’s Divisive Legacy?

By General NobuNaga

As someone who spent two formative years studying at an Islamic college during my upper and lower sixth form, I was immersed in the profound teachings of Islam—a faith that champions universal brotherhood, justice, and an unequivocal rejection of racism. 

The Quran and the Sunnah of Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) are crystal clear on these principles. 

The Prophet’s Last Sermon declares, "There is no superiority of an Arab over a non-Arab, or of a white over a black, except by piety." 

The Quran reinforces this in Surah Al-Hujurat (49:13): "O mankind, indeed We have created you from male and female and made you peoples and tribes that you may know one another."

Islam forbids mocking others (Quran 49:11), mandates kindness to strangers and migrants (Quran 4:36), and condemns oppression in all its forms.

Yet, here we stand in 2025, grappling with the perplexing case of Zia Yusuf—a self-professed Muslim, carrying a name that evokes the light of Prophet Yusuf (Joseph), a symbol of justice and compassion in Islam—serving as a prominent figure in Reform UK, a party widely regarded as Britain’s most racially divisive in modern history. 

How can a man who publicly professes a faith rooted in equality align himself with a political movement steeped in anti-migrant, anti-Muslim, and anti-Black rhetoric, with documented affiliations to neo-Nazi and far-right elements? 

As someone who cherishes the untainted principles of Islam before human corruption, I find this contradiction not just confusing but profoundly troubling.

Reform UK’s Troubling Track Record

Reform UK, the rebranded successor to Nigel Farage’s Brexit Party, has built its identity on stoking fear and division. Its actions and rhetoric consistently undermine the Islamic values of fairness and inclusivity. 

Consider the following:

Anti-Muslim Actions and Rhetoric:

Mocking Keir Starmer in a Burqa: Reform UK’s stunt depicting the Prime Minister in a burqa was not just a cheap political jab but a deliberate Islamophobic provocation, mocking a sacred practice of some Muslim women. 

This act alone aligns with a pattern of dehumanizing Muslims.

Sarah Pochin’s Burqa Ban Proposal: Reform MP Sarah Pochin’s call to ban the burqa during Prime Minister’s Questions in June 2025 was labeled “dumb” by Yusuf himself, yet he later backtracked, expressing support for banning face coverings despite admitting discomfort with bans in general. 

This flip-flopping suggests a willingness to compromise principles for party loyalty.

Farage’s Anti-Muslim Dog Whistles: Nigel Farage’s infamous “Breaking Point” poster during the Brexit campaign, depicting a queue of non-white migrants, fueled anti-Muslim sentiment. 

His comments on “radical Islam” have repeatedly triggered waves of racist abuse online, including against Yusuf himself.

Anti-Black and Racist Incidents:

Racist Remarks by Candidates: Reform UK has faced multiple scandals involving candidates making anti-Black and racist comments. For instance, posts on X have highlighted accusations of Reform candidates being labeled as “racist” by former members, with Yusuf himself expressing outrage at such claims without addressing the underlying issues.

Failure to Disavow Racism: While Yusuf has publicly decried racist abuse directed at him, Reform UK’s leadership has often downplayed or deflected accusations of racism within its ranks, fostering an environment where such sentiments persist unchecked.

Anti-Migrant Hysteria:

Calls for Immigration Freeze: Reform UK’s platform includes calls to halt immigration, including asylum seekers, despite Islam’s clear injunctions to protect the displaced (Quran 59:9). 

Yusuf himself has echoed anti-immigration rhetoric, slamming “mass immigration” at Reform’s 2024 conference.

Deportation Policies: Yusuf has advocated for deporting anyone arriving illegally, a stance that conflicts with Islamic teachings on compassion for refugees and migrants.

Affiliations with Neo-Nazi and Far-Right Groups:

Links to BNP and EDL: Reform UK has attracted former members of the British National Party (BNP) and English Defence League (EDL), both notorious for their white supremacist and anti-Muslim ideologies. Multiple candidates have been suspended for ties to white supremacist groups, yet the party has struggled to fully distance itself from these elements.

Far-Right Sympathizers: The party’s tolerance of far-right activists has drawn criticism from British Muslim leaders, who argue that Reform UK’s inclusivity claims—often using Yusuf as a “mascot”—are superficial and do not withstand scrutiny.

The Cognitive Dissonance of Zia Yusuf

Zia Yusuf, a former Goldman Sachs banker who sold his tech company for over £200 million, joined Reform UK as chairman in 2024, citing a commitment to “British values.” Yet, his involvement with a party that thrives on division raises serious questions about how he reconciles his faith with his politics.

Political Expediency Over Principle?

Yusuf’s public statements suggest he sees Reform UK as a vehicle for advancing a vision of Britain rooted in economic efficiency and cultural homogeneity. 

His leadership of Reform’s “UK DOGE” initiative, inspired by Elon Musk’s Department of Government Efficiency, focuses on cutting public spending—a role he embraced after his brief resignation in June 2025.

 But Islam demands justice even when it conflicts with personal gain (Quran 4:135). By aligning with a party that vilifies minorities, Yusuf appears to prioritize political ambition over the ethical imperatives of his faith.

The “Token Muslim” Trap?

Far-right parties often parade minority figures to deflect accusations of bigotry. 

Yusuf’s prominence as a “British Muslim patriot” risks making him a convenient shield for Reform UK’s less savory elements. 

Akeela Ahmed of the British Muslim Network has pointedly criticized this dynamic, noting that Yusuf’s presence does not negate the party’s anti-Muslim hostility.

 His return to Reform just 48 hours after resigning over the burqa row—citing “exhaustion” and racist abuse on X—suggests he may be trapped in a cycle of justifying his loyalty to a party that undermines his community.

Ignoring Islam’s Social Justice Core?

The Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) dismantled tribal prejudices, uniting diverse communities under the banner of faith and justice.

 Reform UK’s rhetoric, by contrast, thrives on “us vs. them” narratives, targeting Muslims, migrants, and minorities. Yusuf’s claim that “diversity cannot unite us” () directly contradicts the Quranic vision of unity through mutual respect (49:13). 

His failure to consistently challenge his party’s divisive tactics—beyond a fleeting critique of Pochin’s burqa question—raises doubts about his commitment to Islam’s social justice ethos.

A Test of Moral Integrity

Yusuf’s brief resignation in June 2025, triggered by Sarah Pochin’s burqa ban proposal, could have been a turning point. He called the question “dumb” and distanced himself from it, citing exhaustion and racist abuse as factors in his decision to step down. 

Yet, his rapid return to Reform UK, coupled with an apology for his “error” and newfound support for banning face coverings, suggests a troubling willingness to compromise. 

This “humiliating hokey-cokey,” as Labour’s Ellie Reeves termed it, undermines his credibility as a Muslim advocating for justice.

Islam demands accountability. 

The Quran warns against siding with oppressors: 

"And do not incline toward those who do wrong, lest you be touched by the Fire" (11:113). If Yusuf truly upholds his faith, he must either publicly confront Reform UK’s racism or walk away entirely. Remaining complicit in a party that mocks Muslim women, demonizes migrants, and tolerates far-right affiliations is irreconcilable with the principles he claims to hold dear.

British Muslims and Beyond

This is not just about Zia Yusuf—it’s about the broader implications for British Muslims and all people of conscience. Reform UK’s attempt to project inclusivity through figures like Yusuf is a facade that crumbles under scrutiny.

 As Yasmin Alibhai-Brown writes, “Those who pick on minorities should not be trusted. Ever.” 

British Muslims, already battling external prejudice and internal challenges, deserve leaders who embody Islam’s universal values, not those who lend legitimacy to xenophobia.

Yusuf’s choices will define his legacy. Will he be remembered as a Muslim who stood firm for justice, or as one who compromised his faith for political clout? The Quran is clear: "Let not the hatred of a people swerve you from justice" (5:8). The ball is in his court.

Zia Yusuf’s alignment with Reform UK is a stark contradiction of the Islamic principles I learned in college—principles of equality, compassion, and resistance to oppression. 

His name, evoking the light of a prophet, carries a weight he seems unprepared to bear. In these confusing times, where political tribalism often overshadows moral clarity, Yusuf’s story serves as a cautionary tale. Faith is not just a label; it is a call to action. 

For Yusuf, that call demands a reckoning—one that history, and scripture, will not overlook.

Author: General NobuNaga / Assisted by Grok 3 Search / ART: PDI / Rarible