UK Pub Faces Legal Action Over Alleged Racist Sign Depicting Beheaded Arab
Khalid Baqa is seeking £1,850 (approximately $2,300) in damages from the Saracen’s Head Inn, claiming the pub’s signage incites violence and promotes harmful stereotypes.
Baqa, who lodged the claim through the UK court system, expressed his shock upon encountering the pub’s sign, which depicts a bearded, turbaned figure with dark skin.
He stated in his complaint that the imagery was deeply offensive and caused him significant distress.
“While walking through the area, I was shocked and deeply offended by what I saw,” Baqa said. “The depiction of a brown-skinned Arab/Turk male with a turban, captioned ‘The Saracen’s Head,’ clearly instilled worry and fear in me.”
Read More:
The pub’s owner, Robbie Hayes, has rejected Baqa’s allegations, arguing that the name and sign are part of the establishment’s long-standing history. "It’s a complete joke," Hayes told LBC. "This pub has been called The Saracen’s Head for 500 years. He’s just chancing his hand. Of course, it worries me.”
The pub’s name, "The Saracen’s Head," reflects a historic term used during the Crusades to refer to Muslims, which is now widely regarded as outdated and offensive.
The associated imagery, often referred to as the "Moor’s Head," has its roots in medieval heraldry and symbolized the conquest of Islamic lands by Christian forces during the Crusades and Reconquista.
Read More:
Although many argue that such symbols are relics of history without contemporary racist intent, their use has sparked debates over their appropriateness in modern contexts. Similar imagery has drawn criticism in other settings, such as its inclusion on flags in Corsica and Sardinia or its use by organizations and far-right groups in Europe.
Baqa has indicated his intention to pursue action against more than 30 establishments with similar names and signs if his case succeeds.
Source: Agencies
