The Charity Commission has handed a religious charity an official warning amid concerns over the content of sermons it hosted.

The regulator says concerns are connected to, but not limited to, two sermons hosted by Lewisham Islamic Centre that were “inflammatory, divisive and not in the charity’s best interests”.

However, the Centre has issued a strongly worded condemnation of the Commission's action.

The warning has been issued to the charity, which was created to advance the Islamic faith and education, run activities, and relieve poverty, following a compliance case opened by the Commission following complaints about the sermons, that included comments around the situation in Gaza.

The sermons had also attracted adverse media coverage, warned the regulator, which said that its warning has been issued due to “failings” in the charity’s management.

“The official warning sets out that the charity needs to ensure all activity on its premises furthers its objects, benefits the public and is in its best interests,” said the regulator.

“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.”

The Commission added that a failure to remedy failings “may lead to further regulatory action”.

Charity hits out at regulatory ‘interference’

Lewisham Islamic Centre says it “rejects” and is “deeply concerned” about the Charity Commission’s action, which it calls an “interference in religious worship”.

The centre said that the regulator’s warning is “targeting religious expressions, advocacy for Palestine and Muslim charitable activity”.

It added: “The matters raised by the Commission 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.

“At its heart, this case raises a fundamental question: should a Muslim charity face regulatory sanctions for allowing its Imams to pray for Palestinians suffering death, destruction and oppression, to address matters of profound concern to their congregation in Friday sermons, and to express the religious and moral obligation to stand against injustice?”

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