Info:
A mosque under official investigation due to its suspected links to the Iranian state received almost £200,000 from the Scottish government.
Exiled dissidents claim that Al-Mahdi Islamic Centre of Glasgow has become an unauthorised base for the Tehran regime in Scotland. The venue, on Albert Road, is an affiliated outpost of the London-based Islamic Centre of England, which hosted a vigil for Qasem Soleimani, Iran’s most powerful military commander, after he was killed in a US drone strike.
A charity-run Islamic Centre with an outpost in Scotland is facing further investigation by the Charity Commission over alleged links to the Iranian regime.
The London-based Islamic Centre of England (ICE) has reportedly platformed speakers who have called for the downfall of western democracies and the “compassionate” killing of gay people.
A report in the Times has claimed the organisation – run by a direct representative of the nation’s supreme leader – operates a centre in Glasgow.
The Al-Mahdi Islamic Centre of Glasgow, situated on Albert Road and also housing the Al-Mahdi Foundation, has flown the Islamic Republic of Iran’s flag and an image of Ayatollah Khomeini.
The centre has now been accused of promoting “extremism and radicalisation”, with MPs calling for the centre in London to be shut down.
The Charity Commission has opened an investigation into the governance of ICE following a vigil for Qasem Soleimani, a powerful military commander, who was killed in an American drone strike.
A foundation representative signed an open letter accusing the regulatory agency of being “Islamophobic” and “politically motivated”.
Russell Findlay MSP, the Scottish Conservatives’ justice spokesman, expressed concern over the alleged ties between the Glasgow centre and Tehran.
He told the Times: “Any suspected links between this organisation and the Iranian regime, which is the world’s leading state sponsor of terror, must be subject to thorough investigation.”
Former MEP and co-ordinator of the Campaign for Iran Change, Struan Stevenson, also told the newspaper: “With the British intelligence services warning that the Iranian regime has flooded the UK with agents to foment opposition to Israel and support for Hamas, it is essential that organisations like Al-Mahdi are fully investigated.”
Also Known As:
Al Mahdi Islamic Center of Glasgow
Al Mahdi Islamic Center
Country:
Scotland
Reason for the color:
» Glasgow Islamic centre facing questions over Iran link;