UK Charity Regulator Issues Stern Warning to Lewisham Islamic Centre Over 'Inflammatory' Sermons

The UK's charity regulator has issued a warning to the Lewisham Islamic Centre in south-east London for hosting two sermons described as "inflammatory" and "divisive." The Charity Commission has directed the mosque to improve its management of events and speakers.

This action follows a sermon delivered after the Hamas attacks on Israel in October 2023. During this sermon, Imam Shakeel Begg reportedly spoke of "suffering at the hands of the oppressors and the Zionists" and referred to celebrities Justin Bieber and Kylie Jenner as "sick," seemingly in response to their support for Israel.

Further scrutiny arose from a sermon in August 2024 by the mosque's head imam, Ashraf Dabous. He commented on the Southport riots, which occurred after three children were killed at a dance class, stating that "their manipulators are Zionists, and they are supporters of the state of Israel."

The Charity Commission stated that it initiated a regulatory compliance case after receiving complaints about sermons at the charity, which also garnered negative media attention. Following an assessment of evidence concerning these and other events, the regulator found "misconduct and/or mismanagement." This finding was specifically linked to two sermons containing content deemed inflammatory, divisive, and not in the charity's best interests.

However, the Lewisham Islamic Centre has "reject[ed]" the Charity Commission's actions, calling it "interference in religious worship." The mosque indicated it is seeking legal advice. In a statement, the centre argued that the Commission's concerns represent a "troubling attempt to scrutinise, restrict and penalise legitimate religious worship, the expression of solidarity with the Palestinian people, and the activities of a Muslim charitable institution."