A UK court recently ruled in favor of conservative journalist Douglas Murray, dismissing a defamation lawsuit filed by radical Islamist Mohammed Hijab. The judge found that Hijab, whose legal name is Mohamad Nabil Hegab, had lied about key issues in his case, labeling his testimony as "worthless."
The case stemmed from a September 2022 article written by Murray for The Spectator. In that piece, he described Hijab as a "street agitator" who incited tensions between local Muslims and Hindus. Hijab claimed that Murray’s article damaged his reputation and led to financial losses, prompting him to seek damages in court.
However, the judge’s ruling was clear. He stated that Hijab was combative and argumentative during his testimony, often responding to questions with more questions rather than straightforward answers. The judge concluded that Hijab had lied about several significant events and made unfounded claims regarding his financial losses.
The court noted that Hijab appeared to have fabricated contracts to support his claims of lost income. He alleged he lost a £3,500-a-month deal with a charity and other contracts, but the judge found the evidence he provided to be suspicious and likely created for the legal proceedings.
The ruling also highlighted Hijab’s controversial past. In a speech at a rally for Israel in May 2021, he made inflammatory remarks about seeking vengeance in the name of Palestine. At another protest organized by Hijab, a participant called for violence against Jews, which further raised concerns about his actions.
The Spectator reported that Hijab’s lawsuit seemed to be an attempt to intimidate Murray and the publication. Instead of achieving his goal, Hijab’s case backfired, leading to a legal defeat that underscored the importance of journalistic freedom in the face of intimidation.
