NHS lifts Dr. Abdul Wahid's knee-jerk suspension

Dr. Abdul Wahid, known professionally as Dr. Wahid Shaida, has had his NHS suspension lifted, over six months after the then Conservative government decided to proscribe Hizb ut-Tahrir (HT) and NHS England followed up by suspending him from practice. [1]

Contents

Case background Ill-fated proscription of Hizb ut-Tahrir Knee-jerk reaction has been corrected Lifting of suspension puts government on notice Analysis Also watch Also read

Dr. Abdul Wahid’s legal representatives, Rahman Lowe Solicitors, announced the welcome news on Monday, 22 July, after the “comprehensive decision” was delivered on 18 July. [1]

Case background

At the time of his suspension on 19 January 2024, the general practitioner and regular Islam21c contributor was Chair of the UK-executive committee at HT.

Notably, NHS England acted at breakneck speed to suspend him, taking the decision on the very same day as the government’s proscription of the political organisation. [2]

From the onset of the Zionist regime’s genocidal incursion into Gaza in October 2023, Dr. Abdul Wahid — like many British Muslims — took to social media to express his views on the situation. He also appeared on Piers Morgan’s show, Piers Morgan Uncensored, on 11 December. [3]

However, as noted by Rahman Lowe, an NHS England panel has now found “insufficient evidence to warrant removal on either suitability or efficiency grounds”. It has also found that “continuing the suspension would not be appropriate”. [1]

Ill-fated proscription of Hizb ut-Tahrir

The previous government’s January 2024 decision to make illegal the membership and support of HT has been nothing more than an exercise in moving goal posts.

In then Home Secretary James Cleverly’s move, the government — and in turn the majority of the Commons and Lords — rewrote the so-called “extremism” playbook and deemed a group that is openly in support of Palestine to be terrorists.

To have taken such a step is to erode the concept of free speech, something that the United Kingdom prides itself in possessing. And it is particularly unfortunate that this decision was taken whilst, prior to proscription, Hizb ut-Tahrir was engaged in wholly lawful activities.

Knee-jerk reaction has been corrected

It has been clear to see that the suspension of Dr. Abdul Wahid, a GP of nearly three decades and a politically active British Muslim, was a knee-jerk reaction by NHS England.

Likewise, the proscription of Hizb ut-Tahrir is something that the incumbent Labour government and previous Conservative government will arguably never be able to justify.

It has long been the case that successive governments deem it fit to ban groups that dissent against the agenda forced upon by the state, by using “counter-extremism” measures, and plastering the label of “terrorism” on those who push back or offer alternative viewpoints.

This is an affront to democracy — if the British state ever cared about this concept in the first place. And it is unacceptable that a prominent Muslim speaker and impeccable medical professional has been dragged through the mud for over half a year for merely holding a strong position on Palestine, and calling out Israel for its apartheid system.

And it is worth reminding ourselves that such views are already backed by the International Court of Justice, Human Rights Watch, and Amnesty International. [4]

Lifting of suspension puts government on notice

It is very much a belated move to lift Dr. Abdul Wahid’s suspension, but given the level of support lent to this case, be that monetary or otherwise, it would be extremely ill-advised for the NHS, the government, or other public bodies, to try and make an example of others who continue to speak up for the Palestinian people.

There is no doubt that Israel is an apartheid state, it is engaged in a clear genocide and, by one estimate, there may have already been 186,000 needless deaths as a result of its aggression since early October. [5]

To hound those who state such facts and defend the oppressed is to take the side of the oppressor.

Analysis

ANALYSIS

Jahad Rahman

Partner, Rahman Lowe Solicitors

I am very pleased for my client.

Dr. Shaida is a well-respected doctor who is committed to his profession and the patients he serves.

Unfortunately, his entire working life was called into question for simply manifesting his political, religious, and philosophical beliefs, and because he criticised discriminatory policies of the Israeli state.

This is an important case and the outcome sends a clear message to those who seek to weaponise regulatory processes such as this, that their bullying tactics will not go unchallenged, and that the truth will always prevail.

We sincerely hope others will take from this outcome not to be intimidated by those who seek to silence them from legitimate expression about important issues.