A Birmingham mosque, whose leaders were consulted by police before the controversial decision to ban Maccabi Tel Aviv football fans from a match, has hosted preachers advocating that men can physically discipline their wives.
Controversial Sermons at Green Lane Mosque
During a sermon at Green Lane Mosque a week before Christmas, preacher Aqeel Mahmood made misogynistic comments, stating men could physically punish their wives as a 'last resort' if they were disobedient or rebellious. The Times reports that Mahmood, while lecturing on marital rights, said men hold 'a level of authority over the woman'.
He allegedly claimed this discipline should not cause pain, injury, or fear. Mahmood also argued it was 'common sense' that wives should not leave children with others to go shopping and that women should not leave home without their husband's permission except in life-or-death situations.
This was not an isolated incident. Prior to the Maccabi match in November, the same mosque hosted another preacher, Mahamed AbdurRazaq, who had previously stated husbands are 'allowed to hit' their wives if they refuse sex. Videos of his sermons were shared on the mosque's YouTube channel in early 2025.
Police Consultation and Political Fallout
Green Lane Mosque was one of eight Muslim organisations spoken to by West Midlands Police before the force advised banning Maccabi Tel Aviv fans from their Europa League fixture at Aston Villa's Villa Park on November 6.
Police intelligence suggested 'local hostility' towards the fans based on nationality and warned that some in the majority-Muslim community might 'arm' themselves if supporters attended.
The decision has sparked a major political row. Conservative leader Kemi Badenoch has warned that the position of West Midlands Chief Constable Craig Guildford is 'untenable' and called for his resignation, a demand echoed by Jewish groups. Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer also heavily criticised the ban.
Appearing before the Home Affairs Committee, Chief Constable Guildford denied the ban resulted from 'political influence' or that officers 'scraped' to find a justification. Dame Karen Bradley, the committee chair, accused the force of precisely that.
A History of Controversial Teachings
Green Lane Mosque has a history of facing criticism for hosting speakers with extreme views on gender:
- In 2024, imam Mustafa Abu Rayyan told a panel discussion at the mosque that a woman's 'number one' duty was to 'follow, obey and respect her husband' and that she had an 'obligation' to have sex with him. The mosque was reported to the Charity Commission over these remarks.
- In 2023, an investigation found imams at the mosque had given sermons on how to 'correctly' stone a woman for adultery and delivered speeches appearing to incite violence against LGBT+ people.
- The mosque where AbdurRazaq made his 2024 comments about hitting wives, An-Noor Masjid, reported him to the Charity Commission and banned him.
In response to the latest allegations, Green Lane Mosque told The Times that Mahmood's comments had been taken 'out of context'.
Ongoing Scrutiny for West Midlands Police
The force is under intense scrutiny over the intelligence that led to the fan ban. It was also forced to apologise after an assistant chief constable, Mike O'Hara, told MPs that police had been told by members of the Jewish community they did not want Maccabi fans at the match.
West Midlands Police later clarified it was 'never the intention' to imply Jewish community members supported the exclusion. The force has declined to comment on the mosque's hosting of the preachers.
Both West Midlands Police and Green Lane Mosque have been contacted for further comment on the developing story.
