The warning issued to Lewisham Mosque, in London, UK by the Charity Commission (the charities regulator in England and Wales) is yet another case where words of prayer in support of the oppressed, specifically Palestinians, has brought down the ire of the body.  Lewisham Mosque’s powerful response should be read fully.

This type of interference by Charity Commission is not new. We have had cases reported to us as far back as 2000. Often the initial contact from the Charity Commission is enough to intimidate charities into silence. For those who push back months or years of protracted inquiries follow.  In either event, charities are either silenced or their time wasted and distracted form their purpose in what is essentially a political campaign against them.

If the Charity Commission is concerned about ‘religious extremism’ we are among many who have been repeatedly asking the Charity Commission what this is, and why it is that groups who pray for, raise funds for (including military support) the IDF are exempt.

Here are two of our submissions to the Charity Commission. Needless to say no such sanction has been imposed on these groups or charities, some of whom are repeat offenders.  These two reports contain but a few, very troubling examples.

From 2024: ‘Enabling Genocide Fundraising in the UK: Questions for the Charity Commission’ IHRC has compiled data on two UK registered charities who are listed on several fundraisers for military equipment for the Israeli Armed Forces.  Download the report here.  IHRC is demanding that the UK charities regulator (the Charity Commission) take immediate action against these charities.  IHRC is deeply concerned that the Charity Commission has not monitored this situation (one of these charities has been brought to their attention several years ago (in 2015) already), and taken proper, swift and punitive action.

There are plenty more reports prepared during the ongoing genocide asking the CC to look into registered charities supporting the genocide, ideologically and with monetary support.  No answers have been received.

Meanwhile the British Muslim community thought and even spiritual expression continues to be policed, sanctioned and even criminalised.  It recalls to us the late Asma Jahangir‘s comments in her review as UN Special Rapporteur on Freedom of Religion and Belief. What business is it of government to socially engineer Islamic belief and Muslim communities?  We have quoted her in evidence submitted to the UK government in 2009 regarding Prevent.

She said this circa 2007. It is clear the British government has instead doubled down.

The increase in these types of cases is the reason we set up the Save Our Mosques campaign.

Contact us if you are affected, info[AT]ihrc.org.