A migrant who now holds British citizenship has sparked outrage after appearing to suggest UK traditions were “nationalistic and a bit cringe”.
Mahdi Zaidan, who co-founded the pro-Palestinian group Accountability Archive and spent part of the Israel-Hamas conflict in Lebanon, took to social media to detail the ceremonial process in Brighton.
He posted several photos of him at Brighton Town Hall for his ceremony on Monday, including images of him wearing a keffiyeh.
In a post on social media, Zaidan said: “Yesterday I became British.
Mahdi Zaidan shares photos from his citizenship ceremony
Twitter/Mahdi Zaidan
“I thought the ceremony will be nationalistic and a bit cringe until the Lord Mayor of Brighton started his speech with al-salamu alaykum.”
Zaidan’s apparent reference to British traditions sparked fury on social media, given the national anthem and oath of allegiance remain key moments in citizenship ceremonies.
Sharing Ziadan’s post, Reform UK leader Nigel Farage said: “Everything British is being trashed.”
Former No11 adviser James Price added: “This person doesn’t care about this country and clearly just sees a British passport as an economic tool.
“This is not an integration success story. This attitude will prove fatal for the future of the UK as a coherent nation state.”
Ex-Ukip MP Douglas Carswell simply wrote: “Deport.”
Responding to Farage’s criticism, Zaidan accused the Reform UK leader of getting “triggered” by a few words in Arabic.
He added: “The Lord Mayor did a great job welcoming us with his gesture that cut through the awkwardness and pomp.
“But I guess welcoming people in Britain is your worst nightmare.”
Nigel FaragePAGoading his detractors, Zaidan also wrote: “I came to this country with one goal: to hear a Brit say al-salamu. Now that my goal is accomplished I will return.”
Zaidan has also penned a series of controversial posts about Israel’s war with Hamas in Gaza, labelling Benjamin Netanyahu’s response akin to a “genocide”.
To obtain UK citizenship, applicants must be aged 18 or over and appear at a ceremony within three months of receiving an invitation from the Home Office.
Citizenship ceremonies, which can be carried out in groups or in private, are arranged by local authorities.
In its information page about organising a British citizenship ceremony, Brighton & Hove Council said: “You need to arrive 30 minutes before the start of the ceremony. Ceremonies will take about one hour.
“A civic reception in the Council Chamber Ante-Room follows group ceremonies. The Mother’s Union provides refreshments.”
Soon-to-be citizens need to bring their invitation letter from the Home Office and an original photo identity document.
An image from inside Brighton Town Hall
BRIGHTON & HOVE COUNCIL
Private ceremony fees cost as little as £125 on Tuesday’s, with the standard weekly fee hitting £200.
During the ceremony, applicants must make an oath of allegiance or an affirmation of allegiance to King Charles.
Once the naturalisation certificate is officially presented, the ceremony concludes with a rendition of God Save the King.
Brighton & Hove Council’s website includes a full copy of the oath of allegiance, affirmation of allegiance and seven lines of God Save the King.
However, citizenship ceremonies were only legally introduced in 2004.
In a document led by then-Home Secretary David Blunkett, titled Secure Borders, Safe Haven document, the Home Office said: “It is symptomatic of the low-key and bureaucratic approach which the UK has adopted to the acquisition of British citizenship that, unlike the position in many other countries, there are no arrangements for any kind of public act to mark becoming a British citizen.
“The use of citizenship ceremonies is well established in Australia, Canada and the United States and is becoming increasingly common in European countries.
Nigel Farage was speaking at a Reform UK conference PA “There is evidence to suggest that these ceremonies can have an important impact on promoting the value of naturalisation and that immigrant groups welcome them.
“The Government plans to address this by making provision in the forthcoming legislation for a citizenship ceremony to be held as an integral part of the naturalisation/registration process.
“This will give added significance to acquiring citizenship and provide an occasion at which individuals and their families and friends can mark the acquisition of citizenship.
“It also offers an opportunity for the State, and the local community, to welcome formally its new citizens.”
Local authorities regularly hold citizenship ceremonies to deal with the demand of around 110,000 applications each year.
GB News has approached Brighton & Hove Council for comment on Zaidan’s social media row.