NSS refers antisemitic, misogynistic Islamic charity to watchdog

The National Secular Society has referred a newly registered Islamic charity to the regulator for promoting antisemitism and misogyny.

Bedford Islaamic [sic] Centre (BIC) registered under the charitable purpose 'the advancement of religion' in December. Charities are required by law to operate for the public benefit.

"May the curse of Allah be upon the Jews and the Christians"

A post on the charity's Facebook page warns Muslims against "pride and arrogance", which is the "way of the Jews".

Another post, quoting the Islamic prophet Muhammad, states: "May the curse of Allah be upon the Jews and the Christians". The same post urges followers: "Don't stop warning against evil".

In 2023, the NSS referred over 40 Islamic charities to the Charity Commission over statements they had made in the wake of the October 7th Hamas attack, some of which were antisemitic.

The Charity Commission recently told another Islamic group, Cricklewood Muslim Youth Trust, to register as a charity despite it describing Jews and Christians as "the enemies of Allaah [sic]".

Another BIC Facebook post, quoting an Islamic caliph, says there are three type of women.

The first is "the chaste, Muslim, gentle, loving and childbearing woman." The second is "a vessel, she does nothing more than bear children." The third is "a shackle, Allah puts her around the neck of whomever he wills".

In August, the Government announced plans to treat misogyny as a form of extremism. In September, the NSS reported two Islamic charities to the regulator after they hosted preachers who said a woman must not refuse her husband sex.

Extremist preacher who condoned murder of apostates and homosexuals

There are multiple sermons by extremist preacher Abu Usama on the charity's YouTube channel.

In a sermon on the counterextremism programme Prevent, titled Under Surveillance, Usama claims "these people" are "trying to eradicate al-Islam".

Usama has previously been filmed saying "take that homosexual man and throw him off the mountain" and "whoever changes his religion from al-Islam to anything else kill him in the Islamic state."

Usama has also promoted antisemitism: "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".

The Protocols of the Elders of Zion is a fabricated text which was used as antisemitic propaganda in Nazi Germany.

In 2023, a £2.2m government grant to Green Lane Masjid, where Usama has also preached, was halted after the National Secular Society raised concerns.

Music is "haram" and weekly "black magic and jinns" sessions

Another post on BIC's Facebook page warns of the "Dangers of Music", which it says is "haram [forbidden by Islamic law]". It appears to associate music with "Shaytaan [satan]".

Another post advertises a weekly session on "black magic and jinns [demons]".

The Charity Commission has previously investigated another Islamic charity, East Birmingham Central Masjid, for promoting belief in black magic and ruqyah, an Islamic form of exorcism.

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

NSS: 'Public purse is subsidising religious charities to sew division and hatred'

National Secular Society spokesperson Alejandro Sanchez said: "BIC openly espouses antisemitism and misogyny. Any suggestion it is acting in the public benefit is completely farcical.

"At a time when social cohesion is already fraying, it is perverse that the public purse is subsidising BIC to sew division and hatred.

"The 'advancement of religion' as a charitable purpose is allowing faith groups to spew extremism with impunity. It must be urgently reviewed."

Press coverage:

Muslim charity that described Jews as 'arrogant' under investigation – The Telegraph