Conservative MP calls for DJ Haram to be barred from UK
It follows her impassioned pro-Palestine speech at the 25th Biennale of Sydney last month
The UK’s shadow home secretary Chris Philp has reportedly called for DJ Haram to be barred from entering the UK following comments she made at the 25th Biennale of Sydney.
Last month, the New Jersey DJ, producer and vocalist gave an impassioned pro-Palestine speech during an opening event at the annual Sydney festival, sharing her support of those suffering humanitarian crises in Palestine, Iran, Lebanon, Sudan and Syria.
During her speech, she chanted the oft-contentious phrase ‘from the river to the sea, Palestine will be free’, and referenced the death toll from ongoing conflict in both Palestine and Lebanon, The Guardian reported.
New South Wales Police launched an investigation into the comments she made at the time, where she also condemned the Gaza genocide, and told crowds: “It's our duty to oppose the Zio-Australian-Epstein empire.”
According to Jewish News, Shadow Home Secretary Chris Philp has now asked that DJ Haram, real name Zubeyda Muzeyyen, be banned from performing at her upcoming UK shows.
He reportedly told the publication: “The last thing this country needs is a visit from yet another international musician embroiled in allegations of antisemitism and promoting terrorism,” alluding to the Home Office’s recent decision to ban Kanye West from entering the UK.
“As the Government continues to struggle to get a grip on the relentless wave of anti-Jewish racism and Islamist extremism in the UK, it is patently not conducive to the public good for Zubeyda Muzeyyen (DJ Haram) to perform here,” he reportedly said. “The Home Secretary needs to get a grip and ban her.”
DJ Haram is set to perform at London’s Phonox as part of a SWANA-focused takeover on April 17, before another show at Birmingham’s Supersonic Festival later in April.
NSW Police Commissioner Mal Lanyon said that “free speech is something we value in this country”, after an investigation was launched into DJ Haram’s comments in March. Nothing has come of the investigation as of yet.
Gemma Ross is Mixmag's Associate Digital Editor, follow her on X
