The Charity Commission has opened a statutory inquiry into the
Abdullah Quilliam Society.
The charity, based in Liverpool, was set up to restore Britain's
first ever mosque, founded by the Victorian convert to Islam,
Abdullah Quilliam. It has registered purposes to promote Islam
and to educate the public in the heritage of that faith.
The investigation is launched after the charity posted a video to
its social media channels in June 2025, whose contents may not
have furthered the charity's objects could potentially be
considered political, divisive and inflammatory.
The video suggested that named senior members of the Westminster
Government were acting improperly and had received donations from
the “Israeli lobby” and that the Commission was also being unduly
influenced to ‘silence' trustees. The video appeared to be
drawn from a sermon delivered at the charity's premises on 27
June 2025 and has since been removed from the charity's social
media platforms.
The Commission's concerns are aggravated by previous engagement
with the charity over the content of sermons and speeches at its
premises, which culminated in an Official
Warning issued against the charity on 12 June of this year.
The warning stated that the trustees should take a number of
steps, including to ensure all the charity's activities are in
furtherance of its purposes, and to create, implement and adhere
to robust policies around the use of speakers and social media.
Scope of the Inquiry
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. 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.
Use of powers
As part of its inquiry, the Commission has issued the charity
with an Order under section 84A of the Charities Act, which among
other things prohibits the charity from allowing sermons or
events to be held at the charity's premises that include content
that does not further the charity's purposes or are not in the
charity's best interests. Similarly, the Order prevents the
charity from posting content on its website or social media
channels that do not further the charity's purposes or are not in
the charity's best interests.
ENDSNotes to editors
- The Charity Commission is the independent, non-ministerial
government department that registers and regulates charities in
England and Wales. Its ambition is to be an expert regulator that
is fair, balanced, and independent so that charity can thrive.
This ambition will help to create and sustain an environment
where charities further build public trust and ultimately fulfil
their essential role in enhancing lives and strengthening
society. Read further information about what the
Commission does
- On 14 July 2025, the Charity Commission opened a statutory
inquiry into the charity under section 46 of the Charities Act
2011 (‘the Act') as a result of its regulatory concerns that
there is or has been misconduct and / or mismanagement in the
administration of the charity.
- A statutory inquiry is a legal power enabling the Commission
to formally investigate matters of regulatory concern within a
charity and to use protective powers for the benefit of the
charity and its beneficiaries, assets, or reputation. An inquiry
will investigate and establish the facts of the case so that the
Commission can determine the extent of any misconduct and / or
mismanagement; the extent of the risk to the charity, its work,
property, beneficiaries, employees or volunteers; and decide what
action is needed to resolve the concerns.
- s84A of the Charites Act 2011 give the Commission the power
to direct a charity not to take or continue specific action if a
statutory inquiry (s46) is open and the action would constitute
misconduct or mismanagement in the administration of the charity.
