The Charity Commission of the United Kingdom has launched a formal inquiry into the Al-Tawheed Charitable Trust following the emergence of disturbing footage aired by the BBC, which captured chants of "death to Israel" at the Kanoon Towhid Islamic Centre in West London. This action underscores the regulator's grave concern over the potential misuse of charity premises for propagating antisemitic sentiments.
The investigation was spurred by an event held in January 2020, ostensibly as a commemorative religious remembrance for General Qasem Soleimani, the Iranian military commander killed by a U.S. airstrike in 2020. General Soleimani was a high-ranking officer in Iran's military apparatus, commanding both the Iranian Revolutionary Guards Corps (IRGC) and the Qods Force, entities known for their involvement in foreign covert operations and support for militant groups across the Middle East, including Hamas, Hezbollah, and the Houthis.
Islamic centre under investigation for ‘death to Israel’ chants https://t.co/khCZjaxPTL
— MrsRealityUndercover (@Reality_Woman) February 14, 2024
Oh well not to worry the Charity Commission is looking into it! Not @TerrorismPolice or @GCHQ
The Charity Commission's decision to probe the charity comes in the wake of verified footage showing attendees at the event praising Soleimani and engaging in antisemitic chants. The BBC's investigation, aided by Kasra Aarabi, the director of IRGC research at the United States-based United Against Nuclear Iran, highlighted the need for scrutiny not only of the event itself but also of the charity's oversight and control mechanisms regarding the use of its premises by third parties.
The inquiry will delve into the administration and management practices of the Al-Tawheed Charitable Trust, particularly focusing on how its trustees monitor and regulate the use of the charity's properties for events and the nature of its affiliations with external partners. The Charity Commission has taken protective measures, including prohibiting the trustees from allowing the premises to be used by the third party responsible for the 2020 Soleimani remembrance event.
"The Charity Commission is aware that speakers praised Soleimani and could hear anti-Semitic chants being made during the event. The Commission has significant concerns about these matters and will be examining what controls the charity has in place..." https://t.co/3VWgosNfvn
— Dr Jane Norton (@DrJaneNorton) February 14, 2024
In response to the BBC's reports, British Prime Minister Rishi Sunak faced calls from parliamentarians to designate the IRGC as a terrorist organization, emphasizing the importance of safeguarding the UK from foreign interference. This situation underscores the broader geopolitical tensions and the critical role of vigilance and regulatory oversight in preventing charitable entities from being exploited for purposes that contravene public safety and national security.
The Al-Tawheed Charitable Trust, while acknowledging the severity of the allegations, has expressed its commitment to cooperating with the Charity Commission's investigation. Meanwhile, the Islamic Students Associations of Britain, also implicated in promoting events featuring IRGC members, has distanced itself from any government affiliations, asserting its dedication to lawful activities and respect for diverse communities.
The Charity Commission has opened a statutory inquiry after footage of 'death to Israel' chants at an Islamic centre was revealed by the BBC. More at https://t.co/aXZMLnlCF0
— Israel Headline News (@IsraelHeadline) February 14, 2024
This inquiry into the Al-Tawheed Charitable Trust not only highlights the challenges facing regulatory bodies in ensuring charities do not become conduits for extremist ideologies but also serves as a poignant reminder of the ongoing complexities in managing the intersection of charity work, religious commemoration, and political activism.
