A British charity is under investigation for praising the late Iranian general, Qassem Soleimani, as a martyr.
The charity in question, known as the Islamic Centre of England, has assets exceeding £4 million and reportedly organized a vigil at the Islamic Centre in Maida Vale, London on Saturday (Jan. 4) to honor Soleimani.
According to reports in The Times, the event was attended by over 2,000 individuals, including Iran’s ambassador to London.
Seyed Moosavi, 51, who serves as the charity’s director and as the UK representative of Iranian leader Ayatollah Khamenei, hailed Soleimani as a ‘dedicated soldier of Islam’ who had died at the hands of ‘the most wicked members of the human race’.
The charity’s director also referred to Soleimani as an ‘honorable Islamic commander’ in a message of condolence. Qasem Soleimani, who was the commander of Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guards Corps (IRGC) Quds Force unit, was killed last week in a United States airstrike ordered by President Donald Trump.
The memorial service took place 25 minutes after a man was arrested outside the center, preventing a breach of peace and obstructing officers.
Confirming the investigation, the Charity Commission said: ‘We are aware of a vigil… and publications on its website. We will be contacting the charity to seek further information.’