Student societies linked to at least 27 universities across the United Kingdom have shared posts mourning the death of Iran’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, according to research compiled by the think tank The Henry Jackson Society.
The groups, many operating under Ahlul-Bayt or similarly aligned Islamic society names, posted messages describing Khamenei as a “martyr,” shared condolence graphics, or organized memorial activities following his death. Some also circulated vigil material or canceled events “in honour of our beloved Shuhada.”
Universities where activity was identified include University College London, Cambridge, Manchester, Edinburgh, Bristol, Southampton, Surrey, Cardiff, Glasgow, Brunel, Kingston, Westminster, King's College London, and Imperial College London.
Khamenei, the longtime leader of Iran, was killed during the opening weekend of the ongoing Middle East conflict after US intelligence identified his location and strikes were carried out against the Iranian leadership. His son has since been positioned to succeed him.
Posts mourning the Iranian leader appeared on social media accounts linked to multiple campus societies.
At University College London, the Ahlul-Bayt Islamic Society shared a graphic reading “condolences on the martyrdom of Ayatollah Sayed Ali Khamenei” and promoted an on-campus event “commemorating the fallen.”
At Queen Mary University of London, the QMUL Ahlulbayt Society posted a portrait of Khamenei alongside a prayer asking angels “to watch over” Iran’s future.
The Ahlulbayt Islamic Society at the University of Leeds posted: “With deep sorrow and grief, I extend my heartfelt condolences to the noble people of Iran and to Muslims everywhere on the martyrdom of the supreme leader of Islamic Republic of Iran, his eminence Ayatollah Sayyid Ali Khamenei."
At the University of Sheffield, the Sheffield AhlulBayt Society directed followers to a mental health post from Absoc and shared material from Zahraa Subeiti that included an image of Khamenei alongside the message: “Our leaders are martyrs and our martyrs are leaders and Al-Quds is the axis of the Hereafter."
Additional content linked to Khamenei appeared at Imperial College London, where the Ahlul Bayt Islamic Society posted one of the Iranian leader’s quotes and shared related material through an affiliated group.
At King’s College London, a National MSC conference held on campus reportedly included the sale of Khamenei’s autobiography and a book about a fighter from Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps. Bookmarks distributed at the event reportedly included slogans such as “our leader is Seyyed Ali” and “In the path of Khomeini we march."
The findings come as the UK government announced updated measures aimed at countering extremism and radicalisation on university campuses. New guidance requires institutions to conduct risk assessments for external speakers, strengthen reporting, and gives the Office for Students authority to act as a whistleblowing body for staff reporting concerns.
Emma Schubart, ResearcFellow at The Henry Jackson Society, said: "It is extraordinary that student societies across at least 27 British universities have openly mourned the leader of one of the world’s most repressive regimes, reports GB News.
"Ayatollah Khamenei presided over a Government responsible for brutal repression at home and the sponsorship of terrorism abroad. Seeing him described as a ‘martyr’ and honoured on UK campuses should concern anyone who cares about democratic values. The Government is right to recognise that extremism and radicalisation remain serious problems within parts of the university sector - but these cases show just how deeply the issue runs," Schubart said.
"Universities must ensure their campuses are not being used as platforms to glorify authoritarian regimes or spread extremist narratives".
The groups, many operating under Ahlul-Bayt or similarly aligned Islamic society names, posted messages describing Khamenei as a “martyr,” shared condolence graphics, or organized memorial activities following his death. Some also circulated vigil material or canceled events “in honour of our beloved Shuhada.”
Universities where activity was identified include University College London, Cambridge, Manchester, Edinburgh, Bristol, Southampton, Surrey, Cardiff, Glasgow, Brunel, Kingston, Westminster, King's College London, and Imperial College London.
Khamenei, the longtime leader of Iran, was killed during the opening weekend of the ongoing Middle East conflict after US intelligence identified his location and strikes were carried out against the Iranian leadership. His son has since been positioned to succeed him.
Posts mourning the Iranian leader appeared on social media accounts linked to multiple campus societies.
At University College London, the Ahlul-Bayt Islamic Society shared a graphic reading “condolences on the martyrdom of Ayatollah Sayed Ali Khamenei” and promoted an on-campus event “commemorating the fallen.”
At Queen Mary University of London, the QMUL Ahlulbayt Society posted a portrait of Khamenei alongside a prayer asking angels “to watch over” Iran’s future.
The Ahlulbayt Islamic Society at the University of Leeds posted: “With deep sorrow and grief, I extend my heartfelt condolences to the noble people of Iran and to Muslims everywhere on the martyrdom of the supreme leader of Islamic Republic of Iran, his eminence Ayatollah Sayyid Ali Khamenei."
At the University of Sheffield, the Sheffield AhlulBayt Society directed followers to a mental health post from Absoc and shared material from Zahraa Subeiti that included an image of Khamenei alongside the message: “Our leaders are martyrs and our martyrs are leaders and Al-Quds is the axis of the Hereafter."
Additional content linked to Khamenei appeared at Imperial College London, where the Ahlul Bayt Islamic Society posted one of the Iranian leader’s quotes and shared related material through an affiliated group.
At King’s College London, a National MSC conference held on campus reportedly included the sale of Khamenei’s autobiography and a book about a fighter from Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps. Bookmarks distributed at the event reportedly included slogans such as “our leader is Seyyed Ali” and “In the path of Khomeini we march."
The findings come as the UK government announced updated measures aimed at countering extremism and radicalisation on university campuses. New guidance requires institutions to conduct risk assessments for external speakers, strengthen reporting, and gives the Office for Students authority to act as a whistleblowing body for staff reporting concerns.
Emma Schubart, ResearcFellow at The Henry Jackson Society, said: "It is extraordinary that student societies across at least 27 British universities have openly mourned the leader of one of the world’s most repressive regimes, reports GB News.
"Ayatollah Khamenei presided over a Government responsible for brutal repression at home and the sponsorship of terrorism abroad. Seeing him described as a ‘martyr’ and honoured on UK campuses should concern anyone who cares about democratic values. The Government is right to recognise that extremism and radicalisation remain serious problems within parts of the university sector - but these cases show just how deeply the issue runs," Schubart said.
"Universities must ensure their campuses are not being used as platforms to glorify authoritarian regimes or spread extremist narratives".
