The Charity Commission for England and Wales issued Lewisham Islamic Centre an official warning requiring changes to its handling of speakers and events after finding misconduct or mismanagement connected in part to two sermons.
Complaints about sermons prompted the Commission to open a regulatory compliance case; the sermons also received adverse media coverage. The review included other events at the charity. The Commission said it found misconduct or mismanagement and connected that conclusion partly, but not exclusively, to two sermons. It described their content as “inflammatory, divisive and not in the charity’s best interests.”
The centre’s stated charitable objects include advancing the Islamic faith and education, providing recreational activities and relieving poverty. The warning calls for a robust events and speakers policy covering every speaker, which the centre must review, put in place and follow. It also says activities carried out by or associated with the charity should not put its reputation at unnecessary risk. All activity at the centre’s premises must further the charity’s objects, benefit the public and serve its interests.
The Commission issued the warning Oct. 20 under section 75A of the Charities Act 2011 and announced it in a Nov. 11 press release. It will remain on the charity’s entry in the Register of Charities for one year. The notice says failure to remedy the identified misconduct or mismanagement may prompt further regulatory action.
