Green Lane Masjid funding paused over links to controversial speakers
The social investment business (SIB) has suspended funding to the Green Lane masjid and community center in Birmingham in response to accusations of association between the centre and controversial and extremist figures.
This claim is based on a GB News investigation which revealed that the mosque had been the subject of a 2007 documentary entitled Undercover Mosque, in which the speaker Abu Usamah had been recorded making a series of inflammatory statements, including the assertion that homosexuality was a mortal sin and that women were intellectually inferior to men.
Despite this, Usamah continues to work as a full-time preacher at the mosque that receives SIB funding.
In a statement, the SIB said that it was “deeply concerned” about the allegations and that it had suspended funding for the Green Lane mosque and the Green Lane Community Centre until the outcome of the investigation.
It also said that it was committed to making sure that all of its funding was used in a manner that was in line with its values and objectives.
The Green Lane Masjid and Community Centre has not yet responded to a request for comment.
In addition to the allegations made by GB News, there have also been reports that the mosque has hosted other controversial speakers, including those who have been accused of promoting violence and hatred.
The allegations against the Green Lane Masjid and Community Centre have raised concerns about the SIB’s due diligence process for awarding funding.
The SIB has said that it conducted “extensive due diligence” before awarding funding to the mosque, but it has not yet released any details about this process.
The SIB has also said that it is “committed to transparency” and will “publish the findings of our investigation in due course.”
The allegations against the Green Lane Masjid and Community Centre are a reminder of the need for careful vetting of organizations that receive public funding.
It is important to ensure that these organizations are not promoting harmful or extremist views.