Lewisham Islamic Centre rejects Charity Commission warning over sermons

The Lewisham Islamic Centre (LIC) in London has rejected an official warning issued by the UK’s Charity Commission over comments made during sermons at the mosque.

The warning

The Charity Commission issued the official warning on 20 October 2026 under section 75A of the Charities Act 2011. The regulator opened a regulatory compliance case after complaints were raised about sermons delivered at the charity, which also received adverse media coverage. After assessing the evidence, the commission made a finding of misconduct and/or mismanagement connected to two sermons that "included content that was inflammatory, divisive and not in the charity’s best interests".

The warning requires the charity to ensure all activity on its premises furthers its objects, benefits the public and is in its best interests, and that any activity does not unnecessarily risk damaging its reputation. It must also review, implement and adhere to a robust and suitable events and speakers policy. Failure to remedy the misconduct or mismanagement may lead to further regulatory action. The warning will be available for a year on the charity’s entry on the Register of Charities.

The mosque’s response

LIC said in an official statement: "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 described the commission’s expectations as "unnecessarily burdensome" and said it worried the warning suggested the commission was "entitled to dictate which subjects Imams may address in their khutbahs". LIC added that it is seeking legal advice on how to move forward.

Other reactions

CAGE International, a London-based human rights organisation, supported the mosque and claimed the Charity Commission showed lenience toward pro-Israel charities. CAGE said: "The Commission’s position treats the word ‘Zionist’ as inflammatory in itself." A CAGE spokesperson added: "The Commission has told a mosque that naming who is responsible for Palestinian suffering falls outside acceptable religious practice."

Why it matters

The case highlights a dispute between a Muslim charity and the UK’s charity regulator over the limits of religious speech and the commission’s enforcement powers.

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Sources

• aljazeera.com: UK mosque rebukes comission’s ‘warning’ following Palestine comments | Israel-Palestine conflict News | Al Jazeera
• gov.uk: Official warning issued to charity for “inflammatory” comments - GOV.UK
• civilsociety.co.uk: Islamic charity hits back at commission after official warning

This article was drafted with AI assistance and checked against the sources above. Company claims are reported as claims. Cover image is AI-generated.