UK: Charity Commission probes Islamic charity which calls for gays to be put to death
The Charity Commission is investigating an Islamic charity whose leaders are accused of anti-Semitism and calling for homosexuals to be put to death.
The Telegraph reports that the Islamic Education and Research Academy (iERA) – a registered charity in the UK – has strong links with extremists.
The group’s founder and current chairman, Abdurraheem Green, was caught on camera making anti-Semitic statements at Hyde Park Corner.
He said: “Why don’t you take the Yahoudi [Jew] over there, far away so his stench doesn’t disturb us?”
A report from the Council for Ex-Muslims in Britain (CEMB) alleges he has previously described gay people as “vile” and “evil” online, and called for adulterous women to be subject to a “slow and painful death by stoning”.
The charity also lists Bilal Philips and Dr Zakir Naik as its advisors, both of whom have been banned from the UK by the Home Secretary for their extremist views.
Maryam Namazie of CEMB said: “Clearly, the Islamist far-Right should not be granted charitable status but instead classified as a hate group – perpetrating hate against gay people, ex-Muslims, women, Jews, non-Muslims and the majority of Muslims who do not subscribe to their values.”
The Charity Commission said in a statement: “The regulator is investigating concerns about the charity’s governance. The inquiry was opened following a records inspection at the charity’s premises in January 2014.
“The regulator says that it identified a number of regulatory issues connected to the charity’s approach and policies for organising events and inviting external speakers and its associated records and documents.”
The iERA said in a statement: “Although iERA does not see the reason for a formal investigation they are fully supporting and assisting the Charity Commission’s formal inquiry.”
The charity adds that it has “been engaged in charity work which has benefited our fellow Britons and communities abroad.”
