Charity Commission Investigates Manchester Mosque Over Khamenei Commemoration
The Charity Commission is investigating Al-Hussain Masjid in Manchester after it hosted a conference honoring the late Iranian religious leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, amid heightened scrutiny of UK charities with alleged links to the Iranian regime. The mosque, operated by a registered charity, is being assessed for potential misuse of its premises to promote hostile state interests or extremism, despite its claims of legality.
The UK Charity Commission has opened an assessment into the Shia Welfare Association, which operates Al-Hussain Masjid in Cheetham Hill, Manchester, following concerns about a conference held in honour of late Iranian Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei.
The August 16 event, titled The Shohada (Martyrs) Conference, included a lecture described as “Sayyid Khamenei: A life of lessons for today” and was promoted through social media accounts linked to the organisation’s Abul Fadhl Youth programme.
The regulator said it was assessing information about the event and comments made by an invited speaker to determine whether further action was appropriate, while stressing that there was currently no suggestion the mosque had committed a crime.
The investigation comes amid increased scrutiny of UK charities over alleged links to Iran and concerns about the misuse of charitable organisations for political or extremist purposes. The Charity Commission updated its guidance in March on risks facing charities in relation to developments involving Iran, while a report by Lord Walney also highlighted concerns about UK-based organisations allegedly connected to Iranian state institutions.
Representatives of the Shia Welfare Association rejected suggestions of wrongdoing, saying the event was conducted by a third party and that the organisation believed memorial programmes were permitted under charity law and consistent with the Commission’s guidance.
The Manchester mosque and groups affiliated with the association have previously promoted events referencing Khamenei and martyrdom, while one of the speakers at the August conference, Sayed Ammar Kazmi, has appeared on Iran’s state-backed Press TV.
A charity law expert told the Manchester Evening Newsthat the Commission should examine whether the charity’s premises and resources were used for activities outside its charitable objectives, while the SWA said it would conduct its own internal review.
The Charity Commission’s assessment will determine whether the concerns warrant further regulatory action, with the organisation yet to confirm any findings against the mosque or its trustees.