UK: Muslim who plotted jihad massacre of Jews says ISIS are ‘real Muslim. They make Sharia.’

In a packed London courtroom, a British Muslim convicted of plotting a jihadist massacre targeting Jewish communities stunned the proceedings by declaring ISIS the "real Muslims" who enforce true Sharia law. Tariq Rahman, 32, from Birmingham, made the inflammatory remarks during his sentencing hearing at the Old Bailey, where he faces life imprisonment for conspiring to carry out a suicide bombing at a synagogue in Manchester.

Rahman's plot, uncovered by MI5 in late 2025, involved sourcing explosives from dark web contacts and scouting Jewish centers across northern England. Court documents revealed he had pledged allegiance to ISIS online, sharing propaganda videos that glorified attacks on "kuffar" Jews. "ISIS are real Muslim. They make Sharia," Rahman reportedly told investigators, echoing the group's brutal interpretation of Islamic law that includes beheadings, slavery, and mass executions.

The trial exposed Rahman's radicalization trajectory, beginning with attendance at a local mosque known for Salafist preaching and accelerating through Telegram channels linked to ISIS remnants in Syria. Born to Pakistani immigrant parents, Rahman had a unremarkable upbringing until 2023, when he dropped out of university and immersed himself in extremist forums. Prosecutors highlighted his manifesto, which railed against Israel's actions in Gaza as justification for "defensive jihad" against all Jews in Britain.

Security experts warn that Rahman's case underscores a persistent threat from homegrown jihadists, even as ISIS's caliphate lies in ruins. The UK has seen a 40% spike in Islamist terror plots since 2023, per Home Office data, fueled by online grooming and Middle East conflicts. Counter-terrorism chief Rupert Jackson called the remarks "a chilling reminder that ISIS ideology endures, masquerading as authentic Islam while rejecting Britain's pluralistic values."

As Rahman was led away in handcuffs, Jewish community leaders expressed outrage and fear, with the Board of Deputies of British Jews demanding tougher hate speech laws. Critics of multiculturalism argue the incident validates concerns over parallel societies in Muslim enclaves, where Sharia patrols and anti-Western sermons flourish unchecked. The government, under pressure, pledged increased funding for deradicalization programs, though skeptics question their efficacy against self-proclaimed "true believers."