A London Islamic community center is under scrutiny by British authorities following complaints about sermons in which speakers appear to justify the physical punishment of women, describe homosexuality as a “crime” and even endorse the death penalty for certain acts.
The organisation in question is the Hackney Islamic Community Center, also known as Masjid Daar Al-Hadeeth, which has charitable status in Britain.
The case was referred to the Charity Commission, the British regulator responsible for overseeing charities, following a complaint by the National Secular Society (NSS), an organisation that promotes and supports the separation of church and state. The NSS argues that material published by the centre on social media is inconsistent with the charitable nature of an organisation holding charitable status.
“Physically discipline their wives”
A series of videos posted on YouTube features lectures by Yasin Munye, who is presented as an “ustaadh”, meaning a teacher of the Islamic faith.
In one of his lectures, Munye refers to a wife’s “disobedience” towards her husband, including her refusal to have sexual relations with him without, as he puts it, a justification.
In the same excerpt, he urges men to advise their wives, refrain from sexual relations with them and then “physically discipline” them, referring to a “light beating” intended to show them “who is in control”.
Elsewhere, he argues that if a woman continues to disobey, the husband is no longer obliged to provide her with accommodation. He also refers to polygamy, saying that a man with more than one wife could temporarily leave one of them and remain with the other “until she becomes obedient again”.
References to the execution of gay people
In the same series of lectures, Munye describes sexual relations between men as “one of the worst acts” and argues that, according to his interpretation of Sharia law, the execution of those involved is prescribed.
He even describes different methods of execution which, he says, have been cited by Islamic scholars, including beheading with a sword and throwing people from tall buildings.
Homosexuality remains a criminal offence in a number of countries that enforce strict interpretations of Islamic law, while in the past Islamic State executed men accused of homosexuality by throwing them from buildings.
Praise for Saudi Arabia over executions for “sorcery”
In another video, the same speaker refers to “sihr”, meaning sorcery or black magic, arguing that it is real and praising Saudi Arabia for imposing the death penalty on people accused of such practices.
As he states, the particular punishment is no longer applied in many Muslim countries, while he expresses satisfaction that, according to him, it remains in force in Saudi Arabia.
The issue carries particular weight in Britain, as in 2016 71-year-old Jalal Uddin, a father of seven, was murdered in a park in Rochdale by an Islamic State extremist who believed that the form of Islamic healing he practised constituted “black magic”.
“It is unfortunate that women call the police”
Comments by another cleric linked to the mosque, Abu Saad Mohammed Al Iraqi, have also prompted a reaction.
In a video, he argues that a woman should serve her husband even if he treats her badly. He adds that a woman can approach both families in order to address her husband’s behaviour, but insists that she must nevertheless fulfil what he considers to be her marital duties.
He describes it as an “unfortunate reality” that, in Britain, women can turn to the police if they are subjected to violence by their husbands.
“They know that if you hit them even once, they will call the police,” he appears to say.
The National Secular Society complaint
The National Secular Society’s head of campaigns, Megan Manson, argued that it was concerning that the centre continued to hold charitable status while, according to the organisation, it had hosted lectures promoting violence against women, questioning their right to refuse sexual relations and justifying the death penalty for gay men and people accused of sorcery.
She argued that the centre was not an isolated case and called for a review of the way the charitable purpose of “advancement of religion” is applied.
In her view, that provision can, in some cases, allow the dissemination of ideas that may reinforce discrimination, division and abuse.
Nearly £191,000 in tax-free income
The Hackney Islamic Community Centre is registered as a charity and describes its purpose as promoting the Islamic faith and serving the community.
According to its latest published financial statements, for the financial year ending in March 2025 it had income of £191,097, without paying tax on it. Of that amount, almost £155,000 came from direct donations.
In April, it was re-registered as a Charitable Incorporated Organisation, a status that provides trustees with greater legal separation from the organisation’s financial liabilities and allows it to hold property, while operating exclusively under charity law.
Charity Commission opens regulatory compliance case
The Charity Commission confirmed that it had received the complaint and had already begun a regulatory compliance process.
A spokesperson for the regulator said that all charities, regardless of their purpose, must operate for the public benefit and provide a safe and trustworthy environment.
The spokesperson clarified that the authorities were examining complaints relating to sermons and social media content associated with the Hackney Islamic Community Centre in order to determine the next steps.
The investigation does not mean at this stage that a breach has been established, nor that a formal statutory inquiry has been opened.
The legal framework for religious freedom
The case also highlights the boundaries between religious freedom and the obligation of charities to serve the public interest.
British legislation, including the Equality Act and Human Rights Act, provides protection for the freedom to express religious beliefs.
In the past, regulatory authorities have avoided imposing sanctions where controversial teachings were deemed to fall within the framework of religious beliefs.
Earlier this year, for example, Islamic preacher Ahmed Shah faced no sanctions after telling worshippers at Hatch End Islamic Centre that women had an obligation to do housework and serve their husbands. The Charity Commission limited its response at the time to providing “advice and guidance”, while the controversial sermon was removed from YouTube.
The Hackney Islamic Community Centre was invited to comment on the allegations, but no response has been made public so far.
Not an exception
However, it should be noted that such preachings are not the exception among Muslims but the rule. Saria is very specific about all those kinds of punishments and rules, something that is not in any way limited to specific radical sects.
Ask me anything
Explore related questions
