Why is Kings College London Trying to Deport a 22 Year Old Student? With Usama Ghanem

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Dec 4, 2025

In a gripping discussion, Usama Ghanem, a 22-year-old activist and student at King's College London, shares his harrowing journey as he faces deportation for protesting the university's ties to companies implicated in Gaza violence. He recounts the violent backlash during his peaceful protest, his exclusion from the university, and the emotional toll it has taken on him and his family. Usama emphasizes the importance of resilience, faith, and standing firm against injustice, urging others to engage politically and support his cause.

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ANECDOTE

Alumni Dinner Protest Turned Brutal

Usama Ghanem recounts protesting an alumni dinner that honoured an alumnus while King's ignored his killing.
Security brutalised protesters and later excluded Usama from campus, accusing him of leading an encampment.

ANECDOTE

Disciplinary Action After Campus Protest

Usama describes protesting a pro-Israel event and chanting 'Free Free Palestine', which led to an indefinite suspension.
He says external lobbying groups demanded immediate disciplinary action and King's complied, linking the suspension to visa revocation.

ANECDOTE

Protest At Defence Conference Escalates

Usama details the London Defence Conference hosted at King's and sponsored by Palantir with defence firms present.
Protesting that event led to police involvement, further brutality, and another disciplinary case against him.

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Usama Ghanem is a 22 year old student at King’s College London. In just a few days, the university intends to revoke his visa and remove him from the country. His “crime” is simple. He spoke out against the genocide in Gaza and criticised his university’s financial ties to companies enabling it.

For this, he was doxxed, targeted, beaten by security during a peaceful protest, and is now facing deportation.

In this episode, Usama walks us through the full story. From the moment he challenged KCL’s decision to reward the very company linked to the killing of a Palestinian Alumnus, to the harsh retaliation that followed. He explains how universities across the UK are cracking down on Muslim students, how rules are being ignored, and why speaking truth in this moment carries real personal risk.

We also talk about faith, courage, and conviction. Usama reflects on how Allah strengthens the hearts of those who stand firm, and why he is certain—both about his own case and about the justice of the cause—that victory is near.

To learn more or support Usama’s case, visit CAGE’s campaign page:

https://www.cage.ngo/campaigns/kcl---reinstate-usama-now

B-roll footage in this episode includes media from:

https://www.instagram.com/solidarity.diary/?hl=en

This is a story about repression, resistance, and the price of speaking the truth.

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