UK mosque defiant after charity watchdog reprimand for sermon condemning 'Zionists' over Gaza - Middle East Eye

A mosque has been given an official warning by Britain's charity regulator after its imam discussed Palestinian "suffering at the hands of the oppressors and the Zionists" in a sermon.

The Lewisham Islamic Centre in south-east London said it was seeking legal advice "on the most appropriate course of action" after the Charity Commission issued it a warning for hosting what it called "inflammatory, divisive" sermons. 

Imam Shakeel Begg gave a sermon in October 2023, during Israel's bombardment of Gaza, describing Palestinian "suffering at the hands of the oppressors and the Zionists".

He also called the celebrities Justin Bieber and Kylie Jenner "sick" for their vocal support of Israel.

The Islamic centre said in an official statement this week: "This is about more than one mosque or one charity.

"It is about whether Muslim institutions can discharge their religious and charitable responsibilities without being penalised for expressing solidarity with Palestine, conducting established forms of Islamic worship, or addressing issues of concern to their congregations, including repudiation of Zionism, or denunciation of the Israeli state for war crimes and genocide."

The centre added: "Solidarity with the oppressed must not become grounds for charitable sanction.

"Should legal action be pursued, we would urge others to come forward and join a united challenge to an overbearing commission in defence of religious freedom."

In another sermon, in August 2024, Imam Ashraf Dabous claimed of the far-right rioters who attacked Muslims and ethnic minorities in violent disorder that summer that "their manipulators are Zionists, and they are supporters of the state of Israel".

Members of the Israeli government have promoted the British anti-Islam activist Tommy Robinson, whose real name is Stephen Yaxley-Lennon. 

According to the UK's charity law, an organisation cannot be a charity "if its purposes are political". 

The Charity Commission said the Lewisham Islamic Centre has hosted "two sermons that included content that was inflammatory, divisive, and not in the charity's best interests".

It warned that the mosque could face further regulatory action if it did not act on the commission's recommendations.

"It must also ensure that any activity carried out by, or associated with, the charity does not unnecessarily risk damaging its reputation.

"The charity should also review, implement, and adhere to, a robust and suitable events and speakers policy which applies to all of the charity’s speakers."