US Congressman Tells Journalist Mehdi Hasan To 'Go Back To UK' In Heated Azaan Debate

Last Updated:October 22, 2025, 22:21 IST

The row began after Hasan, founder of the media outlet Zeteo, posted a video defending the broadcasting of the azaan from mosques in the US

News18

US Republican Congressman Brandon Gill has come under fire after telling British-American journalist Mehdi Hasan to “go back to the UK" during a heated exchange over the Muslim call to prayer, known as the azaan.

The row began after Hasan, founder of the media outlet Zeteo and former Al Jazeera host, posted a video defending the broadcasting of the azaan from mosques in the US.

“I think if you can play church bells, you can play the call to prayer," Hasan said. “We are as American as anyone else and don’t take any BS from anyone."

In response, Gill, a first-term Congressman from Texas, quoted Hasan’s past remarks, saying: “We can move here en masse and fundamentally transform the landscape of American public life."

Hasan, who is British-born and of Indian origin, hit back by highlighting what he saw as a contradiction in Gill’s stance, noting: “Your wife is an Indian American, the daughter of an Indian immigrant."

Gill, known for his hardline views on immigration and cultural assimilation, replied sharply, saying: “My wife is a Christian and doesn’t want to hear your oppressive Muslim prayer calls, either. If you want to live in a Muslim country, go back to the UK."

The comment triggered a wave of online criticism. Many users condemned the remark as intolerant, xenophobic, and hypocritical, given Gill’s own family background.

One user commented, “If you want to live in an exclusively Christian nation, The United States of America isn’t it, Brandon. We are the nation of religious freedom."

Another added, “Odd sort of a Christian that, who doesn’t show tolerance and compassion? Not very Christ like behaviour! In other news you speak for your wife? Interesting! Do you also choose what she eats and order her food for her too when you both go out? Tell her what to wear etc? Coz you kinda giving that vibes here"

Others responded with irony, “My wife is an Atheist and doesn’t want to hear your oppressive Church Bells either."

A user from Jordan also commented, “Why so hateful Brandon? I come from a Christian family, living in Jordan, who is about 97% Muslim Sunni majority. Our churches have always been allowed to ring prayers bells no matter how small of a minority we have been. It’s called coexistence and tolerance."

This isn’t the first time Gill has drawn controversy for his remarks. In June, he criticised New York mayoral candidate Zohran Mamdani for eating rice with his hands while discussing Palestine, tweeting, “Civilized people in America don’t eat like this. If you refuse to adopt Western customs, go back to the Third World."

The backlash was swift, especially since Gill’s wife, Danielle D’Souza Gill — daughter of Indian immigrants — is herself of South Asian origin. Danielle later clarified her distance from traditional practices, saying, “I did not grow up eating rice with my hands and have always used a fork. I was born in America. I’m a Christian MAGA patriot. My father’s extended family lives in India, they are also Christian and use forks too."

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The News Desk is a team of passionate editors and writers who break and analyse the most important events unfolding in India and abroad. From live updates to exclusive reports to in-depth explainers, the Desk d...

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News world US Congressman Tells Journalist Mehdi Hasan To 'Go Back To UK' In Heated Azaan Debate

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