{
  "id": 19647037,
  "title": "UK mosque defiant after charity watchdog reprimand for sermon condemning 'Zionists' over Gaza",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/11/12/uk-mosque-defiant-after-charity-watchdog-reprimand-for-sermon",
  "topic": "world",
  "section": "World",
  "published": "2026-11-12T11:48:55.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "Middle East Eye",
    "slug": "middle-east-eye",
    "url": "https://www.middleeasteye.net/news/uk-mosque-given-official-warning-after-imam-described-palestinian-suffering-hands-oppressors"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "The Lewisham Islamic Centre in south-east London has defiantly responded to a warning from Britain's charity regulator, the Charity Commission. The Centre's imam, Shakeel Begg, delivered a sermon in October 2023 condemning Zionists and Israeli actions over Gaza, stating that solidarity with oppressed Palestinians should not result in charitable sanctions. The Centre has since sought legal advice on the best course of action. The warning came after the Commission deemed the sermons inflammatory and divisive, stating that hosting such content could make the mosque lose its charitable status as it may be considered a political organisation. The Centre insists that solidarity with the oppressed is not grounds for penalisation and urges others to join a united challenge against the Commission to defend religious freedom.",
  "summary": "UK mosque defiant after charity watchdog reprimand for sermon condemning 'Zionists' over Gaza Submitted by Imran Mulla on Thu, 11/12/2026 - 10:31 'Solidarity with the oppressed must not become grounds for charitable sanction', the Lewisham Islamic Centre said in response The Lewisham Islamic Centre pictured in south-east London (Screengrab) Off A mosque has been given an official warning by…",
  "key_points": [
    "Lewisham Islamic Centre defiantly responds to Charity Commission warning.",
    "Imam Shakeel Begg condemned Zionists in October 2023 sermon.",
    "Commission deemed sermons inflammatory, threatened loss of charitable status."
  ],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 1,
    "also_reported_by": []
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}