The Charity Commission reprimanded London's Lewisham Islamic Centre over October 2023 sermons about Palestinian suffering, describing the content as inflammatory, divisive, and harmful to the charity. In response, the mosque warned that the regulator is imposing disproportionate burdens on Muslim charities and attempting to dictate legitimate religious worship. Human rights group CAGE International also intervened, alleging a double standard that treats opposition to Zionism with suspicion. The mosque confirmed it is actively exploring legal options regarding the watchdog's warning.
Key points
The mosque contends the regulator is unfairly scrutinizing Muslim charities and attemptin…: The mosque contends the regulator is unfairly scrutinizing Muslim charities and attempting to dictate permissible sermon topics.
Watchdog officials classified the imam's remarks as inflammatory, divisive, and contrary…: Watchdog officials classified the imam's remarks as inflammatory, divisive, and contrary to the charity's best interests.
CAGE International claimed the Charity Commission applies unequal scrutiny to Muslim orga…: CAGE International claimed the Charity Commission applies unequal scrutiny to Muslim organizations while seeking expanded powers to remove trustees.
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The Lewisham Islamic Centre accused the charity watchdog of imposing disproportionate expectations on Muslim charities.
The Lewisham Islamic Centre (LIC) in London has rejected a warning issued by the UK’s independent Charity Commission, which reprimanded the mosque for comments on Palestinian suffering made by an imam during October 2023 sermons.
“The matters raised by the Commission represent a troubling attempt to scrutinise, restrict and penalise legitimate religious worship” and “the expression of solidarity with the Palestinian people,” the mosque said in an official statement issued Wednesday.
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The statement comes after the charity watchdog accused the religious centre of including “content that was inflammatory, divisive and not in the charity’s best interests” during two separate sermons, as they issued an official warning urging the centre to “improve its handling of speakers…
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