An Islamic charity accused of acting as an outpost for the Iranian regime in London has the authority to sponsor skilled workers for visas to enter Britain. The Islamic Centre of England, located in Maida Vale, is listed by the Home Office as an organization approved to sponsor skilled worker visas.
This approval allows the center to issue certificates of sponsorship, a necessary document for non-UK citizens applying for skilled worker visas. The center remains on the list despite ongoing investigations by the Charity Commission into its alleged connections with Tehran. Reports indicate the charity has hosted events featuring pro-Tehran materials, including key rings, Hezbollah-themed phone cases, and merchandise commemorating General Qassim Soleimani.
Concerns have been raised by political figures. Shadow national security minister Alicia Kearns stated that the center should be removed from the list, calling it a "backdoor into the UK for Iranian agents" and an "indoctrination hub." Kasra Aarabi, director of research on the IRGC at United Against Nuclear Iran, described the situation as "truly appalling," asserting that the center functions as the UK office for Iran's supreme leader.
The Islamic Centre of England has responded by asserting its independence, stating it is not a representative of any government or political entity. A spokesperson for the center confirmed it holds a Home Office sponsor license, which is used in accordance with UK immigration laws and its charitable objectives. The center maintains it is an independent UK charity operating legally.
This issue surfaces amidst a broader concern regarding the abuse of the skilled worker visa route. Other organizations, including Islamic bookshops selling texts deemed anti-Semitic by some, also appear on the visa sponsor list. Some of these books have been flagged as radicalization threats by UK prisons. For instance, "Milestones" by Sayyid Qutb and works by Hasan al-Banna are available, with Qutb's writings criticized for denouncing "world Jewry."
Chris Philp MP, Shadow Home Secretary, criticized the use of the skilled visa route, calling it a "blatant loophole" exploited by businesses that should not have been granted sponsor licenses. He called for an urgent review of the system and the deportation of individuals brought to the UK on temporary work visas by such organizations.
The skilled worker visa certificates were introduced in 2020 as part of post-Brexit immigration reforms, allowing registered employers to hire non-UK workers for specific skilled positions. However, the licenses have been granted to a wide range of businesses, from large banks to small shops, raising questions about the genuine skill levels of sponsored workers.
Home Office figures indicate that over 120,000 organizations are licensed to issue visa sponsorship certificates. One Islamic bookshop in Birmingham has reportedly issued up to 16 skilled worker certificates since 2021.
A Home Office spokesperson stated that the Islamic Centre of England has not sponsored any workers since 2022 and that the Charity Commission is investigating the organization. The spokesperson added that the Home Office takes the threat posed by the Iranian regime seriously and has taken legislative steps to disrupt activities supporting the IRGC. If wrongdoing is discovered, legal action, including prison sentences, loss of licenses, and civil action, will be pursued.