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A prominent Iran expert has called on the British government to immediately close the Islamic Center of England, describing the London-based charity and mosque as an office of the Iranian regime's supreme leader. The demand comes after reports that the center has been allowed to sponsor visas for imams and other skilled workers, raising concerns among lawmakers and Middle East analysts about gaps in UK immigration and national security policies.

Kasra Aarabi, Director of IRGC Research at United Against Nuclear Iran, told Fox News Digital that the center has "long been operating as the office of the Iranian regime's supreme leader in the UK," and that its imam is the personally appointed UK representative of the regime's supreme leader. Aarabi argued that the center should be shut down in light of threats from the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) against Britain.

Coverage Comparison

The story has been covered by Fox News and The Jerusalem Post, each with a different emphasis. Fox News framed the issue as part of a broader threat from Iran, describing the center's activities as an "extremist infrastructure" and highlighting claims that Iran's regime has smuggled operatives into the UK. The Jerusalem Post took a more neutral tone, focusing on the charity's sponsorship license and the ongoing regulatory scrutiny it faces.

Both outlets reported that the Islamic Center of England has been granted the right to sponsor visas for skilled workers and religious ministers. This was reported by both Fox News and The Jerusalem Post, with the latter citing The Telegraph's initial reporting. The Home Office confirmed that the center has not sponsored any workers since 2022, and that the Charity Commission is currently investigating the charity.

One notable point of agreement is the Home Office's statement that the center would face consequences if any wrongdoing was discovered. This was reported by both sources. However, there is a divergence on the nature of the allegations: Fox News emphasised claims of smuggling operatives and selling merchandise supporting Hezbollah and the IRGC, while The Jerusalem Post focused on a formal reprimand for posting video clips calling for Israel's destruction.

Key Claims

  • The Islamic Center of England charity has been granted the right to sponsor visas for skilled workers and religious ministers to immigrate to Britain, as reported by both Fox News and The Jerusalem Post.
  • The charity has previously been accused of ties to Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps, a claim carried by both sources. This allegation has been consistently raised, though the center denies any official connection to the Iranian government.
  • The charity was formally reprimanded for posting video clips calling for Israel's destruction, a claim reported by The Jerusalem Post. This reprimand is part of the charity's regulatory history.
  • Fox News reported that Iran's regime smuggled operatives into the United Kingdom. This claim, attributed to an unnamed report, has not been detailed in the provided coverage.
  • The Islamic Center of England has been accused of selling merchandise supporting the U.S.-designated terrorist movement Hezbollah and the IRGC, according to Fox News. This allegation is part of the center's controversial profile.
  • The IRGC has built an entire 'soft power' infrastructure across Britain under the guise of charities, mosques and colleges, a claim made in Fox News' coverage. This assertion reflects broader concerns about Iranian influence in the UK.
  • The Home Office stated that the center would face consequences if any wrongdoing was discovered, as reported by both sources.
  • The Charity Commission is currently investigating the Islamic Center of England, according to both Fox News and The Jerusalem Post.
In response to the allegations, a spokesperson for the center told The Telegraph that it is "not an official office or representative of any government, political entity, or individual." The spokesperson noted that the center holds a Home Office sponsor license, like many other charities and faith organizations, and that it "has consistently maintained that it is an independent UK charity and carries out its activities in accordance with UK law and its charitable objectives."

The center's statement directly addresses the perceived relationship with the Iranian government, acknowledging that questions have been raised in the past. This response is part of a broader debate about the role of foreign-linked institutions in the UK and the balance between religious freedom and national security.

Perspectives

United Against Nuclear Iran (via Kasra Aarabi): The Islamic Center of England is operating as an office of the Iranian supreme leader in the UK and should be immediately shut down. Aarabi argues that the center's existence is unacceptable given the IRGC's threats against Britain and its alleged exploitation of the migrant crisis to send "Islamic revolutionary agents" into the country.

Islamic Center of England: The center denies being an official office or representative of any government, asserting its independence as a UK charity. It maintains that it operates in accordance with UK law and its charitable objectives, while acknowledging that questions have been raised about its relationship with the Iranian government.