Latest news with #HarunAbdurRashidHolmes
Telegraph
06-07-2025
- Politics
- Telegraph
Muslim charity boss delivered sermon on killing Jews six days after Oct 7
The charity regulator has issued an Islamic charity with an official warning and banned one of its trustees after he was accused of encouraging violence against Jews after the Oct 7 Hamas attack. Harun Abdur Rashid Holmes, a leading figure with Nottingham Islam Information Point (NIIP), has been barred from acting as a charity trustee for three years after delivering a sermon in which he stated that Muslims would kill Jews until they 'hide behind a rock'. Holmes was accused of anti-Semitism and incitement to violence after delivering the sermon on the charity's premises in which he stated: 'The hour will not begin until the Muslims fight the Jews and the Muslims will kill them until a Jew hides behind a rock or a tree. And the rock or tree will say 'Oh Muslim... there is a Jew behind me. Come and kill him'.' During the same sermon, Mr Holmes is understood to have offered prayers for the 'mujahideen' – a common Islamic term for fighters – in Palestine. Holmes delivered the sermon just six days after Hamas launched its attack on southern Israel in 2023, killing more than 1,200 Jews and taking 251 hostage. The Charity Commission found that Holmes's words were 'inflammatory and divisive' at a time when conflict was setting communities against each other. It found he did not act in accordance with his duties as a trustee, despite the charity receiving previous guidance when he was its chairman. Following a 20-month investigation, the regulator has now disqualified Mr Holmes from serving as a trustee or holding any senior management position in a charity in England and Wales for three years. It also issued NIIP with a formal warning over its failure to put effective policies in place to manage its affairs and those who speak in its name. The commission told The Telegraph that its investigation into NIIP was one of more than 300 regulatory cases it had opened in the last 18 months involving groups supporting different sides of the Middle East conflict. It has so far issued formal statutory guidance to charities in about 100 of these cases, and has made more than 70 referrals to the police where it considered that a criminal offence might have been committed. Stephen Roake, assistant director of investigations and compliance at the Charity Commission, said: 'In times of conflict, people expect charities to bring people together, not to stoke division. In this case, we found due consideration had not been given to the words and rhetoric used. The sermon was inflammatory and divisive, and we acted robustly and disqualified the trustee who gave the sermon. We also issued the charity with a formal warning.' During his sermon, Mr Holmes also called on attendees not to 'busy yourselves with politics and voting', which the commission found could be interpreted as encouraging people not to vote or to disengage from the democratic process. The commission said some of the content of the sermon had been taken from a specific 'Hadith', a narration of historical events ascribed to the prophet Mohammed but it was delivered without the appropriate context and 'as such was inflammatory and divisive'. It found that Mr Holmes, a former care home assistant manager, lacked the good judgment expected of a trustee. Mr Holmes, who was not a qualified Iman at the time he delivered the sermon, told the regulator that, in hindsight, he accepted the Hadith was sensitive, and he did not give sufficient context to it. The investigation concluded that the sermon did not further the charity's purposes, including to provide relief to those in need, was not in its best interests and amounted to misconduct and/or mismanagement. Mr Roake added: 'Following our intervention, the charity's remaining trustees have taken positive steps to improve their governance. This includes the introduction of a more robust events policy. All charities that host events and speakers should take note of this case and ensure they have sufficient due diligence in place.' NIIP, which showed an income of £59,200 and an expenditure of £47,700 in its last set of accounts, was set up in 1997 to relieve poverty and 'clear up misconceptions on the religion of Islam'. Following Mr Holmes' sermon, NIIP apologised for any offence he may have caused. It stated: 'Mr Holmes is not a qualified Imam and has not formally studied Islam. He was given the responsibility of the sermon at late notice and was not able to provide the necessary explanation to references used in the short timespan available. 'In hindsight he recognises that other references would have been more appropriate. The trustees recognise that certain portions of the sermon may have been construed in a negative light and inadvertently and unintentionally caused offence. We apologise for this.' Mr Homes did not respond to requests for comment. There can be no hiding place for those who use charities to promote hate By David Holdsworth During times of heightened international conflict, global instability, and economic hardship, the work of UK charities is more pressing, and more vital, than ever. Every day, and across every continent of the world, thousands of UK charities relieve desperate need and bring communities together, supporting the most vulnerable and serving as beacons of hope and unity. We should take pride in the work of these charities, the difference they make to countless lives as well as the global projection of the very best of the Great British people. Sadly, however, there are some people who undermine that trust and betray their and other charities' potential for good. Over the past few years, and particularly since the escalation of conflict in the Middle East in October 2023, we have seen charities misused to promote the personal views of those linked to the charity, in some cases inciting hate, or condoning violence. We have also seen examples of charities funding military equipment for foreign military forces. As chief executive of the Charity Commission – which regulates charities in England and Wales – I am clear that such abuse of the special status of charity is unacceptable. We won't hesitate to take firm action to stop such wrongdoing, and, where necessary use our enforcement powers against those responsible. For example, we have this weekend announced our findings in a case regarding Nottingham Islam Information Point, a centre set up to help relieve poverty and explain the religion of Islam. We have issued an official warning to the charity after one of its trustees delivered an inflammatory sermon at the charity's premises. We also used our powers to disqualify the trustee who gave the sermon. This follows an official warning against the Abdullah Quilliam Foundation earlier this month, again for providing a platform for unacceptable, divisive language. We have recently issued an official warning to the UK Friends of the Association for the Wellbeing of Israel's Soldiers after the charity posted distressing footage on social media, and earlier in the year, we gave a similar rebuke to a charity that advances the Jewish religion after it sent funds to an IDF soldier stationed in northern Israel. Over the last 18 months, the commission has opened more than 300 regulatory cases involving charities supporting different sides of the Middle East conflict. We have so far issued formal statutory guidance to charities in about 100 of these cases, and have made more than 70 referrals to the police where we consider that a criminal offence might have been committed. We know some would like us to move further or faster in these types of cases. But we have a duty to carefully follow the evidence and reach decisions in a way that is both fair and legally robust. While trustees, like all of us, have personal rights to freedom of speech, there can be no hiding place for those who seek to use charities to promote hate or harm to others. This is not only to put a stop to fundamentally uncharitable activity, but also to help protect and promote public trust in the wider charitable sector. Research confirms that charities are among the most trusted groups in society, behind only NHS doctors. This status cannot be taken for granted. I see it as the commission's responsibility to do whatever is in our power to uphold the good name of charity. As the regulator of 170,000 registered charities that together generate more than £100 billion of annual income, with about 400 staff, that is no mean feat. We work to enable all well-run, life-changing charities to deliver on their purpose. We do this by providing clear guidance helping volunteer trustees get it right, and by being available by phone, email or in person to those who need help and support along the way. Even when dealing with serious complaints, wherever possible, our default position is to try and get charities back on track to deliver their vital work. But I will not shy away from using the more robust powers Parliament has granted us when that is necessary – and taking action against those who risk undermining the incredible positive impact of charities at home and abroad.
Rhyl Journal
06-07-2025
- Politics
- Rhyl Journal
Islamic charity warned over ‘inflammatory' sermon after October 7 attacks
Language in the sermon included 'the hour will not begin until the Muslims fight the Jews and the Muslims will kill them until a Jew hides behind a rock or a tree' and attendees were encouraged not to 'busy yourselves with politics and voting', the Charity Commission said. It is one of more than 300 cases involving charities in the past 18 months related to the Middle East conflict, the regulator – which operates across England and Wales – said. The latest case involved Nottingham Islam Information Point, a charity said to provide support to victims of Islamophobic attacks and address misconceptions about the religion of Islam. But a sermon, given on October 13 2023 by trustee Harun Abdur Rashid Holmes 'did not further the charity's purposes, including to provide relief to those in need, and was not in the charity's best interests', therefore amounting to misconduct and/or mismanagement, the regulator said. Mr Holmes, who is not a trained imam, was deemed not to have acted in accordance with his duties as a trustee and was disqualified in July last year. He is prevented from holding any senior management position in a charity in England and Wales for three years – and noted by the commission to lack the good judgement expected of a trustee. While the charities watchdog said it recognised some of the sermon's content had come from a specific hadith – a narration of historical events ascribed to the prophet Mohammed – the appropriate context was not given and it therefore was 'inflammatory and divisive'. The regulator also said 'no consideration' had been given to the timing of the sermon, coming six days after the October 7 Hamas attacks in Israel. The commission said Mr Holmes had accepted that, with hindsight, the hadith was sensitive, and that he had not given sufficient context to it. The commission's assistant director of investigations and compliance, Stephen Roake, said: 'In times of conflict, people expect charities to bring people together, not to stoke division. In this case, we found due consideration had not been given to the words and rhetoric used. 'The sermon was inflammatory and divisive, and we acted robustly and disqualified the trustee who gave the sermon. We also issued the charity with a formal warning. 'Following our intervention, the charity's remaining trustees have taken positive steps to improve their governance. This includes the introduction of a more robust events policy. All charities that host events and speakers should take note of this case and ensure they have sufficient due diligence in place.' Nottingham Islam Information Point has been contacted for comment. Charity Commission chief executive David Holdsworth said some people are undermining charities' 'potential for good' in an opinion piece for the Sunday Telegraph. 'Over the past few years, and particularly since the escalation of conflict in the Middle East in October 2023, we have seen charities misused to promote the personal views of those linked to the charity, in some cases inciting hate, or condoning violence,' Mr Holdsworth wrote. 'While trustees, like all of us, have personal rights to freedom of speech, there can be no hiding place for those who seek to use charities to promote hate or harm to others. 'This is not only to put a stop to fundamentally uncharitable activity, but also to help protect and promote public trust in the wider charitable sector. 'I will not shy away from using the more robust powers Parliament has granted us when that is necessary, and taking action against those who risk undermining the incredible positive impact of charities at home and abroad,' he added. Of the 300 cases considered since the end of 2023 in relation to what is happening in the Middle East, about a third have resulted in formal statutory guidance being issued by the commission. More than 70 referrals to the police have been made where the regulator considered that a criminal offence might have been committed. In January, a London charity was handed an official warning after fundraising for a soldier in the Israel Defence Forces (IDF). The Chabad Lubavitch Centres North East London and Essex Ltd, which describes itself as working for the advancement of the Orthodox Jewish religion, raised more than £2,000 after setting up an online page in October 2023 for a soldier stationed in northern Israel. Some £937 was sent directly to an individual soldier but the commission said the trustees of the charity were unable to account for how the money was spent and the regulator concluded the charity's actions had amounted to misconduct and a breach of trust. While charities in England and Wales can legally raise funds to support the UK armed forces, they cannot legally provide aid or military supplies to any foreign armed force, the commission said. It was believed to be the first time the regulator had used its powers to issue an official warning on the issue of fundraising for a foreign military. The case was not one among those referred to police, as the commission said its unlawfulness related to charity law rather than criminal law.
Daily Mail
06-07-2025
- Politics
- Daily Mail
Trustee who used sermon to say Muslims would 'kill Jews' six days after October 7 attacks is disqualified - as Islamic charity is handed formal warning
An Islamic charity trustee who used a sermon to say Muslims would 'kill Jews' six days after Hamas 's October 7 attacks has been disqualified - with the charity also receiving a formal warning. Harun Abdur Rashid Holmes delivered the talk at Nottingham Islam Information Point where attendees heard 'the hour will not begin until the Muslims fight the Jews and the Muslims will kill them until a Jew hides behind a rock or a tree'. Guests at the event held by the charity, which is said to help victims of Islamophobia and teach about the religion, were also told not to 'busy yourselves with politics and voting'. Such an 'inflammatory and divisive' sermon has now seen the Charity Commissioner hit Nottingham Islam Information Point with a formal warning. The regulator, which operates across England and Wales, said this is one of more than 300 cases involving charities in the past 18 months related to conflict in the Middle East. They said the sermon delivered by Mr Holmes 'did not further the charity's purposes, including to provide relief to those in need, and was not in the charity's best interests', therefore amounting to misconduct and/or mismanagement. Mr Holmes, who is not a trained imam, was deemed not to have acted in accordance with his duties as a trustee and was disqualified in July last year. This means he is now not allowed to hold any senior management position in a charity in England and Wales for three years - and he has been noted by the commission to lack the good judgement expected of a trustee. The watchdog said while it recognised some of the sermon's content had come from a specific hadith - from the Islamic prophet Mohammed - the appropriate context had not been given and it therefore was 'inflammatory and divisive'. The regulator also said 'no consideration' had been given to the timing of the sermon, coming six days after the October 7 Hamas attacks in Israel, which Mr Holmes later accepted. The commission's assistant director of investigations and compliance, Stephen Roake, said: 'In times of conflict, people expect charities to bring people together, not to stoke division. In this case, we found due consideration had not been given to the words and rhetoric used. 'The sermon was inflammatory and divisive, and we acted robustly and disqualified the trustee who gave the sermon. We also issued the charity with a formal warning. 'Following our intervention, the charity's remaining trustees have taken positive steps to improve their governance. This includes the introduction of a more robust events policy. All charities that host events and speakers should take note of this case and ensure they have sufficient due diligence in place.' MailOnline has approached Nottingham Islam Information Point for comment. Charity Commission chief executive David Holdsworth said such instances were 'undermining' charity's 'potential for good' in an opinion piece for the Sunday Telegraph. He wrote: 'Over the past few years, and particularly since the escalation of conflict in the Middle East in October 2023, we have seen charities misused to promote the personal views of those linked to the charity, in some cases inciting hate, or condoning violence. 'While trustees, like all of us, have personal rights to freedom of speech, there can be no hiding place for those who seek to use charities to promote hate or harm to others. 'This is not only to put a stop to fundamentally uncharitable activity, but also to help protect and promote public trust in the wider charitable sector.' Mr Holdsworth added that he will 'not shy away' from using 'more robust powers' to stop those 'undermining the incredible positive impact of charities at home and abroad'. Of the 300 cases considered since the end of 2023 in relation to conflict in the Middle East, around a third have resulted in formal statutory guidance being issued by the commission. More than 70 referrals to police have been made where the regulator considered that a criminal offence might have been committed. In January, a London charity was handed an official warning after fundraising for a soldier in the Israel Defence Forces. The Chabad Lubavitch Centres North East London and Essex Ltd, which describes itself as working for the advancement of the Orthodox Jewish religion, raised more than £2,000 after setting up an online page in October 2023 for a soldier stationed in northern Israel. Some £937 was sent directly to an individual soldier but the commission said the trustees of the charity were unable to account for how the money was spent and the regulator concluded the charity's actions had amounted to misconduct and a breach of trust. While charities in England and Wales can legally raise funds to support the UK armed forces, they cannot legally provide aid or military supplies to any foreign armed force, the commission said. It was believed to be the first time the regulator had used its powers to issue an official warning on the issue of fundraising for a foreign military. The case was not one among those referred to police, as the commission said its unlawfulness related to charity law rather than criminal law.
The Independent
05-07-2025
- Politics
- The Independent
Islamic charity warned over ‘inflammatory' sermon following October 7 attacks
A British Islamic charity has received a formal warning and had one of its trustees disqualified following an "inflammatory and divisive" sermon delivered in the days after the 7 October Hamas attacks. The Charity Commission stated the sermon included the phrase: "the hour will not begin until the Muslims fight the Jews and the Muslims will kill them until a Jew hides behind a rock or a tree." Attendees were also reportedly encouraged not to "busy yourselves with politics and voting." This case is one of more than 300 involving charities related to the Middle East conflict that the regulator, operating across England and Wales, has addressed in the past 18 months. The latest case involved Nottingham Islam Information Point, a charity said to provide support to victims of Islamophobic attacks and address misconceptions about the religion of Islam. But a sermon, given on October 13 2023 by trustee Harun Abdur Rashid Holmes 'did not further the charity's purposes, including to provide relief to those in need, and was not in the charity's best interests', therefore amounting to misconduct and/or mismanagement, the regulator said. Mr Holmes, who is not a trained imam, was deemed not to have acted in accordance with his duties as a trustee and was disqualified in July last year. He is prevented from holding any senior management position in a charity in England and Wales for three years – and noted by the commission to lack the good judgement expected of a trustee. While the charities watchdog said it recognised some of the sermon's content had come from a specific hadith – a narration of historical events ascribed to the prophet Mohammed – the appropriate context was not given and it therefore was 'inflammatory and divisive'. The regulator also said 'no consideration' had been given to the timing of the sermon, coming six days after the October 7 Hamas attacks in Israel. The commission said Mr Holmes had accepted that, with hindsight, the hadith was sensitive, and that he had not given sufficient context to it. The commission's assistant director of investigations and compliance, Stephen Roake, said: 'In times of conflict, people expect charities to bring people together, not to stoke division. In this case, we found due consideration had not been given to the words and rhetoric used. 'The sermon was inflammatory and divisive, and we acted robustly and disqualified the trustee who gave the sermon. We also issued the charity with a formal warning. 'Following our intervention, the charity's remaining trustees have taken positive steps to improve their governance. This includes the introduction of a more robust events policy. All charities that host events and speakers should take note of this case and ensure they have sufficient due diligence in place.' Nottingham Islam Information Point has been contacted for comment. Charity Commission chief executive David Holdsworth said some people are undermining charities' 'potential for good' in an opinion piece for the Sunday Telegraph. 'Over the past few years, and particularly since the escalation of conflict in the Middle East in October 2023, we have seen charities misused to promote the personal views of those linked to the charity, in some cases inciting hate, or condoning violence,' Mr Holdsworth wrote. 'While trustees, like all of us, have personal rights to freedom of speech, there can be no hiding place for those who seek to use charities to promote hate or harm to others. 'This is not only to put a stop to fundamentally uncharitable activity, but also to help protect and promote public trust in the wider charitable sector. 'I will not shy away from using the more robust powers Parliament has granted us when that is necessary, and taking action against those who risk undermining the incredible positive impact of charities at home and abroad,' he added. Of the 300 cases considered since the end of 2023 in relation to what is happening in the Middle East, about a third have resulted in formal statutory guidance being issued by the commission. More than 70 referrals to the police have been made where the regulator considered that a criminal offence might have been committed. In January, a London charity was handed an official warning after fundraising for a soldier in the Israel Defence Forces (IDF). The Chabad Lubavitch Centres North East London and Essex Ltd, which describes itself as working for the advancement of the Orthodox Jewish religion, raised more than £2,000 after setting up an online page in October 2023 for a soldier stationed in northern Israel. Some £937 was sent directly to an individual soldier but the commission said the trustees of the charity were unable to account for how the money was spent and the regulator concluded the charity's actions had amounted to misconduct and a breach of trust. While charities in England and Wales can legally raise funds to support the UK armed forces, they cannot legally provide aid or military supplies to any foreign armed force, the commission said. It was believed to be the first time the regulator had used its powers to issue an official warning on the issue of fundraising for a foreign military. The case was not one among those referred to police, as the commission said its unlawfulness related to charity law rather than criminal law.
South Wales Guardian
05-07-2025
- Politics
- South Wales Guardian
Islamic charity warned over ‘inflammatory' sermon after October 7 attacks
Language in the sermon included 'the hour will not begin until the Muslims fight the Jews and the Muslims will kill them until a Jew hides behind a rock or a tree' and attendees were encouraged not to 'busy yourselves with politics and voting', the Charity Commission said. It is one of more than 300 cases involving charities in the past 18 months related to the Middle East conflict, the regulator – which operates across England and Wales – said. The latest case involved Nottingham Islam Information Point, a charity said to provide support to victims of Islamophobic attacks and address misconceptions about the religion of Islam. But a sermon, given on October 13 2023 by trustee Harun Abdur Rashid Holmes 'did not further the charity's purposes, including to provide relief to those in need, and was not in the charity's best interests', therefore amounting to misconduct and/or mismanagement, the regulator said. Mr Holmes, who is not a trained imam, was deemed not to have acted in accordance with his duties as a trustee and was disqualified in July last year. He is prevented from holding any senior management position in a charity in England and Wales for three years – and noted by the commission to lack the good judgement expected of a trustee. While the charities watchdog said it recognised some of the sermon's content had come from a specific hadith – a narration of historical events ascribed to the prophet Mohammed – the appropriate context was not given and it therefore was 'inflammatory and divisive'. The regulator also said 'no consideration' had been given to the timing of the sermon, coming six days after the October 7 Hamas attacks in Israel. The commission said Mr Holmes had accepted that, with hindsight, the hadith was sensitive, and that he had not given sufficient context to it. The commission's assistant director of investigations and compliance, Stephen Roake, said: 'In times of conflict, people expect charities to bring people together, not to stoke division. In this case, we found due consideration had not been given to the words and rhetoric used. 'The sermon was inflammatory and divisive, and we acted robustly and disqualified the trustee who gave the sermon. We also issued the charity with a formal warning. 'Following our intervention, the charity's remaining trustees have taken positive steps to improve their governance. This includes the introduction of a more robust events policy. All charities that host events and speakers should take note of this case and ensure they have sufficient due diligence in place.' Nottingham Islam Information Point has been contacted for comment. Charity Commission chief executive David Holdsworth said some people are undermining charities' 'potential for good' in an opinion piece for the Sunday Telegraph. 'Over the past few years, and particularly since the escalation of conflict in the Middle East in October 2023, we have seen charities misused to promote the personal views of those linked to the charity, in some cases inciting hate, or condoning violence,' Mr Holdsworth wrote. 'While trustees, like all of us, have personal rights to freedom of speech, there can be no hiding place for those who seek to use charities to promote hate or harm to others. 'This is not only to put a stop to fundamentally uncharitable activity, but also to help protect and promote public trust in the wider charitable sector. 'I will not shy away from using the more robust powers Parliament has granted us when that is necessary, and taking action against those who risk undermining the incredible positive impact of charities at home and abroad,' he added. Of the 300 cases considered since the end of 2023 in relation to what is happening in the Middle East, about a third have resulted in formal statutory guidance being issued by the commission. More than 70 referrals to the police have been made where the regulator considered that a criminal offence might have been committed. In January, a London charity was handed an official warning after fundraising for a soldier in the Israel Defence Forces (IDF). The Chabad Lubavitch Centres North East London and Essex Ltd, which describes itself as working for the advancement of the Orthodox Jewish religion, raised more than £2,000 after setting up an online page in October 2023 for a soldier stationed in northern Israel. Some £937 was sent directly to an individual soldier but the commission said the trustees of the charity were unable to account for how the money was spent and the regulator concluded the charity's actions had amounted to misconduct and a breach of trust. While charities in England and Wales can legally raise funds to support the UK armed forces, they cannot legally provide aid or military supplies to any foreign armed force, the commission said. It was believed to be the first time the regulator had used its powers to issue an official warning on the issue of fundraising for a foreign military. The case was not one among those referred to police, as the commission said its unlawfulness related to charity law rather than criminal law.
