A prominent Iranian cleric who recently issued a fatwa urging global revenge for the assassination of Iran's Supreme Leader, Ali Khamenei, is linked to a British Islamic centre that received a £15,000 government grant to promote 'religious tolerance'. Grand Ayatollah Naser Makarem Shirazi, aged 99, called for Muslims worldwide to avenge Khamenei's death, describing it as a religious duty to remove the 'evil of these criminals' from the world.
Fatwa and International Response
Last week, following a targeted killing by Israel with a CIA tip-off, Shirazi issued the fatwa, which experts note can be interpreted by followers as a direct instruction. This is not his first controversial decree; in 2025, he also issued a fatwa labeling US President Donald Trump and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu as 'Enemies of God'. The cleric's statements have sparked international concern, with counter-terror expert Ghaffar Hussein warning that Iran seeks to export its revolution and influence diaspora communities.
UK Government Grant Details
Despite these calls for violence, it has emerged that a charity based at Shirazi's Babul Murad Centre in Wembley, north London, received a £15,000 grant in 2009. The funding came from the UK Government's Prevent scheme, aimed at countering extremism and fostering religious tolerance. The International Islamic Link charity, operating from this centre, was the recipient of this grant, raising questions about oversight and alignment with Prevent's objectives.
Charity Commission Review
At the time, concerns were raised about the charity's activities, prompting the Charity Commission to review its charitable status. The commission stated that it takes any alleged links between charities and extremism or terrorism very seriously. Following an investigation, they issued a regulatory action plan requiring trustees to ensure the charity's independence from external pressure or influence. The commission has indicated that if new concerns arise, they will reassess the situation.
Broader Implications and Expert Analysis
Shirazi is recognized as one of Iran's most powerful clerics, and his fatwas carry significant weight among his followers. The revelation of the UK grant has ignited debates about the effectiveness of counter-extremism funding and the need for rigorous vetting processes. Critics argue that such incidents undermine public trust in government initiatives designed to promote community cohesion and prevent radicalization.
The Babul Murad Centre has been contacted for comment, but no response has been provided yet. This case highlights the complex challenges faced by authorities in balancing support for religious tolerance with the imperative to prevent the spread of extremist ideologies within diaspora communities.
