The Charity Commission has opened a statutory inquiry into an historic UK Islamic charity over a “potentially inflammatory” sermon that was posted on its social media account.

This follows previous concerns raised by the regulator about the content of Liverpool based Abdullah Quilliam Society’s sermons and speeches. In June it was issued with an official warning calling on the trustees to “adhere to robust policies around the use of speakers and social media”.

But in the same month a video was posted on Abdullah Quilliam Society’s social media suggesting that members of the UK government were acting improperly and had received donations from the “Israeli lobby”. It also suggested that the Charity Commission was being influenced to “silence” the charity’s trustees.

This video, which has since been removed, appeared to feature content from a sermon delivered at the charity’s premises.

“The inquiry has been opened to evaluate the general administration, management, and governance of the charity by its trustees to determine whether there has been mismanagement and / or misconduct on the part of the trustees,” said the Charity Commission.

“It will establish facts, including the full circumstances around the sermon, determining whether its content was in furtherance of the charity’s objects, and in its best interests. The investigation will also seek to understand whether the charity has updated its policies following the Official Warning.

“The scope of the inquiry may be extended if additional regulatory issues emerge during the Commission’s investigation.”

The charity works to restore England’s first ever mosque, founded by the Victorian convert to Islam Abdullah Quilliam, and to promote Islam.

---