Islamic charity stokes fear of ’black magic’ and promotes exorcism

Newly registered religious charities are stoking fears around "Black Magic" and "witchcraft", the NSS can reveal.

East Birmingham Central Masjid, which registered as a charity under 'the advancement of religion' in February, claims the world is "tainted by darkness" and "the menace of Black Magic has grown disturbingly widespread".

In order to "combat this peril", the charity has "unveiled the Ruqyah Service and Awareness Program" on its website (pictured). Ruqyah is an Islamic form of exorcism which claims to expel jinn (demons) from an individual.

The service will "shed light on the sinister repercussions of magic" and "protect our Muslim brothers and sisters from the snares of sorcerers and magicians".

In 2021, as part of ruqyah, anaesthetist Hossam Metwally put his partner Kelly Wilson into a coma and nearly induced cardiac arrest.

The charity also claims "falsehoods about Islam" are perpetuated by groups including "Zionist organisations", which have invested "millions of dollars to flood the digital landscape with anti-Islamic material".

Christian charity: "we need to beware of increasing witchery in our society"

One article on the website of Cambridge Papers Limited, a newly registered Christian charity, asserts "we are in danger of re-entering an age of overt witchcraft".

Witchcraft "is real", it says, and "we need to beware of increasing witchery in our society".

In 2000, Victoria Climbie was tortured to death after her family became convinced she was possessed by evil spirits. The pathologist who examined her body said it was the worst case of abuse he had ever seen.

Another article on Cambridge Papers argues legalising same-sex marriage would break the 'intrinsic connection' between marriage and childbearing, and risks children becoming the 'ultimate accessories'.

Charity promoting 'witch hunting' sermon

Last year, the NSS expressed concerns about a newly registered Christian charity which promoted a sermon on 'witch hunting'.

Mountain Of Fire And Miracles Ministries Belfast shared details about a sermon on "five kinds of witches or familiar spirits" on its Facebook page.

The National FGM Centre, which aims to protect children from abuse linked to faith or belief, has identified belief in "witchcraft and spirit possession" as a motive for abuse.

Figures suggest thousands of children in the UK are victims of abuse linked to witchcraft beliefs.

NSS: 'No charity should be allowed to promote ideology which fuels spiritual abuse'

NSS campaigns officer Alejandro Sanchez said: "Charities are meant to benefit the public. But promoting the idea that some people can be 'witches' or possessed by evil spirits can lead to extreme harm to children and vulnerable adults.

"It's yet another example of 'the advancement of religion' enabling charities to spread harm. This charitable purpose must be urgently reviewed. No charity, religious or otherwise, should be allowed to promote ideology which fuels spiritual abuse."

UPDATE 16/04: The Charity Commission is reportedly investigating our concerns, as reported in Civil Society.