Canada Blocksโค Entry of Rap Group Nikkab, Citing support for Terrorist โฃOrganizations
Ottawa – Canada has barred entry to the North Irish rap group Nikkab, โขpreventing them from holding concerts scheduled for โฃnext month,โค due to accusations of supporting Hezbollah and Hamas. The decision, announced Friday by the Canadian government, alleges that members of the group have publicly expressed supportโ for the designated terrorist โคorganizations.
According to โa post on X (formerly Twitter) by Public Safety Minister Vince โคGaspro,”the squad has publiclyโ expressed โsupport for terrorist โขorganizations such as Hezbollah and Hamas.” Gaspro further stated that โa member of nikkap is currently facing charges in the British judiciary for โsupportingโ Hezbollah and promoting “violence and hatred.”
“Political violence, the glorification of terrorist organizations, and the โpresentation of hatred symbols targeting Jewish society, are not forms ofโฃ protected expression and our government will not tolerate it,” Gaspro added.
Nikkab has refuted the accusations, callingโฃ them โค”very wrong and malicious” and stating they are preparing to file a lawsuit. The band maintains they will continue to condemn the “genocide committedโ by israel” in Gaza.
The controversy surrounding Nikkab extends beyond Canada. Mo Shara, 27, also known as โฃLiam Ohana, a member of the group, is under inquiry in the United Kingdom on terrorism charges related to โขdisplaying aโฃ Lebanese Hezbollah flag duringโ a November 2024 concert in London andโ chanting slogans supporting Hamas andโ Hezbollah. He is scheduled to appear in court in London later this September.
this year has seen a series of setbacks for the group, with concerts canceled in Germany and Austria,โข entry deniedโข in Hungary, and a U.S. tour withdrawn.
Founded in โข2017, Nikkab has consistently generated controversy with lyrics addressing drugs and challenging established systems, including opposition to British rule in Northern Ireland. while laudedโค by fans โfor their bold and provocative stance, the group has faced criticism for perceived extremist views.