Government awards £2.2m grant to homophobic and misogynistic mosque

The NSS has written to the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport expressing concern over her department's award of £2.2m to Green Lane Masjid, a mosque with a well-documented history of antisemitism, homophobia and misogyny.

The award was made earlier this month as part of the government's Youth Investment Fund. The fund was delivered by the government's grant partner, Social Investment Business.

The government has now said the grant to Green Lane Masjid has been paused and an investigation has been launched by Social Investment Business.

Homophobia

In a video dated February 2019, Shaykh Abu Usamah At-Thahabi, a regular preacher at Green Lane Masjid, stated: "Don't teach my kids homosexuality! Don't teach my kid about lesbianism". "I don't condone and I don't support that lifestyle", he says

Misogyny

Green Lane Masjid imam Mustafa Abu Rayyan says of a wife: "She needs to also fulfil his [her husband's] physical desires". She should be "obedient and respectful to him". He says divorce ("talak") is put in the hands of men because "men are meant to be less emotional".

Another video from Green Lane Masjid describes the 'correct' way to stone a woman death: "There must be a hole dug in the earth … and she must be covered up to half of the body".

Antisemitism

In a video dated December 2022 and produced by Al-Rahmah Faith Centre, Shaykh Abu Usamah At-Thahabi stated: "You know the Zionists, the Protocols of the Zionists, the Protocols. In one of those Protocols they said: 'Let's keep the people busy with sports and games. Let's keep the people [distracted] with sports and games.' And that's why all those people make all that money".

NSS: 'grant risks fuelling division and intolerance'

NSS Chief Executive Officer Stephen Evans said: "The awarding of public money to an organisation that espouses misogynistic, homophobic and antisemitic views and uses such divisive and derogatory language beggars belief.

"Efforts to improve youth facilities and services in deprived areas of the country are welcome, but a grant to this organisation clearly risks fuelling division and intolerance.

"We urge the government to ensure that taxpayers' money is reserved for youth projects that promote inclusivity and are withheld from separatist groups that do just the opposite."

Image: By Oosoom - Own work, CC BY-SA 3.0