Tuesday 28/October/2025 – 12:49 PM
Mohamed Hijab, one of Britain’s most prominent Islamic influencers with more than 1.3 million subscribers on YouTube, has lost his application to appeal his libel case against journalist Douglas Murray and The Spectator magazine.
The British influencer could face a legal bill of up to £850,000
The Court of Appeal rejected Hijab’s application to appeal the ruling, which deemed Murray’s statements substantially true, meaning Hijab will be required to cover the costs of the legal case, which could amount to £850,000 including tax.
The libel claim stemmed from a September 2022 opinion piece in The Spectator, in which Murray accused Hijab of trying to escalate tensions during protests between the Muslim and Indian communities in Leicester, suggesting that Hijab’s visit had contributed to an increase in local violence.
In dismissing the case, Judge Johnson described Hijab’s behavior in court as constantly combative and argumentative, noting that he lied on substantive issues, presented materials that appeared to be fabricated, and continually attempted to argue with the other side’s attorneys rather than providing clear answers.
Despite his status as one of the most prominent voices in the British Muslim community and his powerful influence online, Hijab’s legal case failed, marking a clear victory for Douglas Murray, deputy editor of The Spectator and a well-known critic of Islamic extremism.
