London Bridges Charity Under Scrutiny for Grant to Muslim Group With Trustee Allegedly Linked to Hamas

The City Bridge Foundation (CBF), a London-based charity responsible for maintaining five of the capital's iconic bridges, is facing scrutiny over a £1.17 million grant awarded in 2023 to the Muslim Charities Forum (MCF). MCF is an umbrella organization for Muslim-led charities, and its treasurer, Shuaib Yusaf, also heads the Al-Khair Foundation (AKF), which is currently under investigation by the Charity Commission for alleged links to Hamas.

AKF, which focuses on relief in impoverished areas and has been known for its work in Gaza, has been investigated following claims of connections to the designated terrorist group. The FBI has also been involved in a probe that led to the arrest of Mohammad Yousef Hasna, who worked for an AKF "partner charity" in Gaza. US prosecutors have charged Hasna with conspiring to provide material support to Hamas, financing terrorism, and related offenses, alleging he used a charity to funnel millions of dollars to the group.

The Charity Commission's investigation into AKF focuses on whether the organization and its partners have had connections to Hamas and provided funding. Shin Bet, an Israeli intelligence agency, reportedly assisted the FBI in its investigation into Hasna.

MCF has stated that none of the grant money from CBF went to AKF. A legal representative for MCF explained that the funding was used for MCF's own UK-based programs, such as training for grassroots organizations serving marginalized communities in London, and that such funding is not transferred to MCF members or third parties. MCF also noted that AKF's membership has been put on hold while the Charity Commission's inquiry is ongoing, and Yusaf has voluntarily stepped back from his roles within MCF.

AKF has denied any links to or funding of proscribed organizations and stated it is cooperating fully with the Charity Commission's inquiry. The organization self-referred to the Charity Commission following Hasna's arrest. AKF has appointed an independent consultant to investigate the allegations.

The City Bridge Foundation, established in the 13th century, possesses a £1.5 billion endowment and is responsible for the maintenance of Tower Bridge, Blackfriars, Southwark, and the Millennium Bridge, in addition to its original focus on London Bridge. Since 1995, the CBF has used its surplus funds, which exceed bridge maintenance costs, to support various social justice campaigns, including climate change initiatives and a slavery review. Critics have argued that these funds could be better allocated towards the maintenance of other bridges in the capital that are owned by local authorities or Transport for London, some of which are currently closed or restricted due to disrepair.