The key facts

  • Charity Commission identified misconduct/mismanagement related to sermons delivered in 2023 and 2024
  • The mosque rejects the allegations, describing them as interference in religious practice

Regulator's Warning

The London mosque Lewisham Islamic Centre has received a warning from the UK charity regulator Charity Commission over two sermons deemed 'incendiary' and 'divisive'. The mosque has been instructed to improve its procedures for organizing events and inviting speakers. This was reported by The National.

Core of the Allegations

The first sermon was delivered after the Hamas attack on Israel in October 2023: Imam Shakil Begg spoke of 'suffering at the hands of oppressors and Zionists' and called Justin Bieber and Kylie Jenner 'sick'—presumably due to their support for Israel. In the second sermon, in August 2024, Chief Imam Ashraf Dabus stated regarding the participants of the Southport riots that 'their manipulators are Zionists and supporters of the State of Israel'. The riots erupted following the deaths of three children at a Taylor Swift-style dance event.

Positions of the Parties

Charity Commission announced that it opened an inquiry into compliance following complaints about the sermons, which received negative media coverage, and concluded, after assessing the evidence, that misconduct and/or mismanagement occurred. The mosque itself stated that it 'rejects' 'regulatory interference in religious worship' and continues to consult with lawyers. According to the mosque, the allegations represent 'a disturbing attempt to control, restrict, and penalize legitimate religious worship, expressions of solidarity with the Palestinian people, and activities of a Muslim charitable institution'. Sources have not reported how the dispute will conclude.