Lewisham Islamic Centre is now under an official warning from the Charity Commission. The regulator concluded that the charity had been guilty of misconduct and/or mismanagement. In explaining that finding, the Commission pointed to two sermons hosted at the centre, which it said "included content that was inflammatory, divisive and not in the charity's best interests". It stressed that its concerns were not confined to those two occasions.
The Commission's scrutiny started when people complained about sermons at the charity, some of which had already drawn negative press attention. The regulator then reviewed evidence about those sermons and about other events at the centre before reaching its conclusion. According to the Commission, the warning was formally issued on 20 October 2026, using powers in section 75A of the Charities Act 2011.
What the warning means in practice
The Commission describes an official warning as a way of making clear to a charity that a breach of trust or duty, misconduct or mismanagement has happened and must be corrected. It also sets out for trustees the steps they need to take to end the problem or keep it from happening again.
Anyone searching the Register of Charities will be able to see the warning on the centre's entry for a year. The regulator cautioned that more regulatory action could follow if the failings it identified are not fixed.
Demands on speakers and events
The Commission wants the centre's trustees to make certain that whatever takes place in the building advances the charity's objects, serves the public and is in the charity's own interests. The regulator also said the charity must avoid exposing its reputation to needless harm through anything it does or is linked to. Beyond that, the centre is expected to review its rules for events and speakers, then adopt and follow a robust and suitable policy that covers every speaker it invites.
The charity's work
According to the Commission, the charity's founding aims are advancing the Islamic faith and education, offering recreational facilities and activities, and relieving poverty. Its own entry on the register says it holds the five daily prayers, Friday and Ramadan prayers and both Eid prayers, teaches Arabic and the Qur'an daily to adults and children, and distributes zakat to help the hungry and the poor. For the financial year ending 31 August 2025, the register records total income of £1,073,840 and total expenditure of £711,463.
