A convicted terrorist is suing the owner of a centuries-old English pub, arguing that its sign is racist and “highly offensive.”

The Saracen’s Head Inn, which dates back to 1530 and was built using timber from old ships, is located in Amersham, Buckinghamshire, around 30 miles from London. The pub’s name is believed to be tied to the Crusades, seen by some as a nod to the respect for the martial prowess of their enemies. However, Khalid Baqa, 60, a former terrorist who was jailed for his involvement in disseminating terrorist propaganda, argues that the pub’s signage, which features a depiction of a bearded Arab or Turk, encourages violence and perpetuates harmful stereotypes.

Baqa, who served a sentence of nearly five years before his release, has filed a lawsuit seeking £1,850 in compensation from the pub’s landlord. He told The Sun he is now “done with the terrorism stuff” and is focusing on his legal challenge.

Baqa claims that upon seeing the pub’s sign, which he describes as a depiction of a “brown-skinned bearded Arab/Turk male with a turban,” he felt deeply distressed and offended. In his lawsuit, Baqa argues that the image, which accompanies the name “The Saracen’s Head,” is not only xenophobic but also incites violence. He says the image immediately filled him with “worry and fear,” prompting him to demand the sign’s removal.

“I’ve always found pub names like this offensive, but only recently learned how I can challenge them online,” Baqa explained. He insists that he made several attempts to lodge complaints with the pub, including in-person visits, but pub staff maintain they have no record of these complaints.

The pub’s landlord, Robbie Hayes, 52, has vehemently rejected Baqa’s claims, calling the lawsuit a “complete joke.” Hayes stressed that the pub has carried the name for over 500 years, and to him, the sign is part of the significant charm of the establishment. “We don’t believe the sign is racist. It’s just a historic name,” Hayes said. He also expressed concern about the situation, saying, “You never know with people like this.”

Baqa has made it clear that if his legal challenge against The Saracen’s Head is successful, he plans to take on 30 other pubs with the same name. This case highlights a growing debate over the legacy of historical names and symbols and their potential for offense in modern society.