Politicians have meanwhile called on Fadak to be shut down for its repeated attacks on the Sunni population. Khalid Mahmood, the former Labour MP for Birmingham Perry Barr, said: “This man has constantly attacked people of the Sunni faith with Fadak TV, which should not be allowed.
‘If a far-Right group did this, there would be action against it, and so Ofcom should take action against him. It’s now even more absurd that there are paramilitary activities taking place at his premises. I want his channel closed down.”
Al-Habib in turn has been critical of British politicians. In one speech, al-Habib referred to Suella Braverman, the former home secretary, as an “animal” when she said she might restrict pro-Gaza protests.
After the Hamas attack on Israel on October 7 last year, al-Habib criticised Hamas for rape and desecrating bodies, but said “who among us does not enjoy retaliation of the Zionist enemy. We were all buoyed by the news.”
If Al-Habib’s announcement was taken more seriously than it might have been, perhaps that is because it is not unknown for Scottish islands to be bought as religious havens: Buddhist and Christian groups have a long-established presence here. Torsa is certainly remote: accessible only by a private boat from Luing, itself accessible via ferry from Seil, a 40-minute drive from Oban in western Scotland.
The island was once occupied as a defensive stronghold, going through various clan ownerships before the Highland Clearances, when it is thought its indigenous population was forced out. It was farmed until the 1960s, today it is run as a holiday let. This is the first time it has been up for sale in 65 years.
Al-Habib did not directly reply to requests for comment, but the MSU has publicly thanked the “British media for the free advertising” in light of recent coverage of the group: further evidence, perhaps, that they were just looking to make some noise.
A source close to the owner said they thought the preferred buyer would be someone who could keep up Torsa’s current usage, tending to the sheep flock and running it as a charming holiday let. At the time of writing, there is still availability on Torsa this year. A week in September costs £1,800.
Perhaps potential visitors will be deterred by the MSU’s alleged interest. Others might consider it a small price to pay for a visit to what could one day become Britain’s first breakaway Sharia state – however unlikely that seems for the moment. If nothing else, the preacher’s eccentric proposition has certainly helped draw attention to a wild and beautiful corner of Britain.