The Islamic Centre of England, a London-based charity accused of acting as a proxy for the Iranian regime, has retained its status as a Home Office licensed sponsor for skilled worker and religious minister visas. Despite ongoing scrutiny and allegations tying the organisation to Tehran, the centre continues to issue certificates of sponsorship, allowing individuals to apply for entry to the United Kingdom.
The Home Office designation permits the centre to facilitate visa applications for certain categories of migrants, a move that has prompted calls for a government review of its sponsorship powers amid national security concerns. The charity is currently under investigation by the Charity Commission over its alleged links to the Iranian government. As part of this inquiry, the organisation was compelled to amend its governance structure, removing provisions that required the board of trustees to include a religious representative appointed by Iran’s supreme leader.
Concerns about the centre’s activities first came to light in 2026 when it hosted a community event featuring the sale of items such as pro-Iranian regime souvenirs, Hezbollah-themed merchandise, and stickers depicting the late General Qassim Soleimani of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC). Soleimani, who was killed in a U.S. air strike in 2020, was commemorated by the centre with a candlelit vigil. Additionally, Seyed Hashem Moosavi, the centre’s imam and director, publicly condemned Iranian protesters opposing the regime, labeling them as “soldiers of Satan.”
Security analysts have voiced unease regarding the centre’s ability to sponsor visas, especially in the context of heightened tensions between Iran and the UK, including Iranian threats against RAF Fairford in Gloucestershire and worries about the regime allegedly attempting to smuggle sympathisers into Britain via small boats.
Lord Walney, a former government adviser on political violence, described the situation as “alarming,” urging the Home Secretary to reassess the centre’s licence and impose stricter conditions to protect the UK’s immigration system. “The Home Secretary seems to have inherited this completely unacceptable situation,” he said.
In response, a spokesperson for the Islamic Centre of England denied any official affiliation with the Iranian government or its political apparatus. The centre emphasized its status as an independent UK charity operating within the framework of British law and fulfilling its stated charitable objectives. The spokesperson highlighted that holding a Home Office sponsor licence is common among faith organisations and other eligible institutions, underscoring their compliance with immigration requirements.
The controversy surrounding the Islamic Centre of England underscores ongoing challenges in balancing immigration controls with national security considerations, particularly when organisations linked to foreign regimes operate within the UK’s charitable and religious sectors. The government has not yet announced any formal steps to revoke or reconsider the centre’s sponsorship license.