A 30-year-old Indian-origin Muslim blogger in the UK, known for his controversial views on niqab and sharia, has thrown his hat for the second leadership contest in anti-EU UKIP party, in as many months.
A key aide of former UKIP leader Nigel Farage, Raheem Kassam, born to Tanzanian immigrant parents of Gujarati origin, is in the fray for the top spot in the United Kingdom Independence Party (UKIP) along with Paul Nuttal and Suzanne Evans.
The present leadership contest in UKIP was triggered when Diane James, elected party chief in September following resignation of former boss Farage, quit after just 18 days in charge.
Farage had resigned as party leader after the June 23 EU referendum during which the UKIP had led the Leave campaign.
Kassam's bid to lead UKIP has already received the backing of the party's biggest donor, with insurance tycoon Arron Banks declaring his backing for Kassam.
Declaring his support for Kassam on Twitter, Banks said: "I've been very impressed with Raheem's ideas, despite Paul Nuttall running I think he's the candidate to beat. He's got my support."
But the Editor-in-chief of website 'Breitbart London' was also facing backlash over his controversial comments that have resurfaced in the wake of his nomination.
He has described 'niqab and sharia' as tools of "cultural jihad" and demanded a national referendum on banning the niqab.
Raised in the Ismaili sect of Shia Islam, Kassam has often described himself as non-practising Muslim opposed to all sort of religious fundamentalism, and has questioned foreign funding of religious institutions.
He has also demanded clear labelling of 'halal meat' in UK shops.
Kassam also faced backlash for the catalogue of tweets, including a now-deleted post that joked Nicola Sturgeon should have her legs taped shut to stop her "reproducing", after the Scottish National Party leader tragically miscarried.
Earlier in the day, Kassamtalked about his position in the UKIP leadership race:"I am now the front runner in this campaign and that is because I believe that we are making people excited about UKIP again.
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