AN activist and former Muslim of the Year nominee has been filmed telling a rally that "jihad is the only solution" - sparking a police probe.

Footage shows Sumaira Farrukh, 38, using the inflammatory word in a speech to crowds in Birmingham last month.

Sumaira Farrukh, 38, was filmed calling for jihad to a crowd in Birmingham last month - but has insisted she used the word to mean 'struggle'

Mrs Farrukh, pictured with Prince Charles, is a former nominee in the Muslim of the Year awards

Detectives are investigating if Mrs Farrukh, a businesswoman and journalist, broke the law as she spoke about India's treatment of Kashmir.

Tensions are high in the region after India announced plans to strip the contested Muslim-majority state of self-rule.

Mrs Farrukh, who has been pictured with Prince Charles, was filmed telling the crowd of hundreds: "There is only one slogan for today.

"It is remove curfew from Kashmir.

"Let them live their own lives – nothing more than that. And one thing to truth-tell to the Muslim community.

"There’s only one solution, which is jihad. No protest, nothing. Just jihad."

POLICE PROBE

Police have visited Mrs Farrukh at her home in Birmingham and last night confirmed an investigation is ongoing.

But Mrs Farrukh last night denied inciting violence - insisting she was referring to "a struggle", the Daily Mail reports.

She added that she is being singled out because she is an "an outspoken woman in a headscarf".

Mrs Farrukh was a finalist in the "businesswoman of the year" category at the British Muslim of the Year awards in 2017.

She is the chief executive of Noor TV, a Muslim channel, and is an active campaigner for Muslim rights.

In April, she praised Sajid Javid on his appointment as Britain's firs Muslim Chancellor.

She wrote online: "May Allah bless you with more courage to work for the community."

The meaning of jihad is not a particular one meaning Sumaira Farrukh

In Islam, Jihad can mean any type of struggle - but it has taken on violent connotations after being used by terrorists like ISIS to justify murder.

When quizzed about her speech yesterday, Mrs Farrukh said: "The meaning of jihad is not a particular one meaning.

"If you have a problem with the Government of the UK and you want to raise your voice, the struggle is called jihad in the meaning of Islam.

"Muslims know the meaning of the word in that context.

"Do you think I’m the kind of person who would use that word to encourage people to go and fight?

"I work with communities and the British military encouraging the Asian community to join the Army – how can I encourage violence?"

She added: "I’m very clear with my words. As a human, it is our responsibility to raise our voices for the people of Kashmir.

"That is my meaning – stand up for the people who are suffering. Jihad is meaning struggle – the same meaning as if we are protesting outside 10 Downing Street."

A spokesman for West Midlands Police said of the August 31 video: "We are assessing the content to see whether any criminal offences have been committed."

Mrs Farrukh, a businesswoman and journalist, is a prominent activist for Muslim rights

The 38-year-old's comments are being investigated by West Midlands Police

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