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London Islamic charity hosted preacher filmed during attack on Iranian dissidents
The Islamic Centre of England, a charity in Maida Vale already under investigation over alleged links to Tehran, hosted Sayed Ahmed Alwadaei at a bazaar where pro-Hezbollah merchandise was sold. The report says Alwadaei, a British architect and Shia lay preacher who has expressed support for Iran’s government, was filmed at a 2024 attack on Iranian dissidents in London; he has not been shown to have been convicted over the incident.
The footage appears to show Alwadaei throwing an object as violence began outside a Wembley mosque, where dissident Navid Bavi was left partially paralysed. Conservative MP Alicia Kearns criticised the charity for hosting him and called for investigations and enforcement of terrorism laws. The article also links Alwadaei and a woman believed to be his wife to online sales of items depicting Hezbollah figures, which campaigners say could breach the Terrorism Act.
In short
- London charity hosted a bazaar selling pro-Hezbollah merchandise.
- Its guest has expressed support for Iran’s government.
- An MP called for investigations into the charity and those involved.
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The case for
Those concerned about public safety and the rule of law can argue that a charity under investigation should take particular care over whom it hosts, especially where footage appears to show the guest throwing an object as violence began and a dissident was seriously injured. They may say the reported links to pro-Hezbollah merchandise warrant prompt, evidence-led scrutiny under terrorism law, while stressing that any enforcement should follow proper investigation rather than political pressure.
The case against
Those concerned about fairness and civil liberties can argue that hosting a preacher or expressing support for Iran’s government does not itself establish involvement in an assault or a terrorism offence. The footage is reported as appearing to show an act, and no conviction is reported; any investigation or enforcement should therefore rely on verified evidence, apply the law consistently, and protect the presumption of innocence and lawful religious expression.
Explained simply
The Islamic Centre of England is a Shia Muslim centre in Maida Vale, west London. It is registered as a charity and has faced scrutiny over alleged links to Iran’s government; Iran is a Shia-majority country whose leaders have close ties to Hezbollah, an armed political group in Lebanon.
The reported incident took place outside a Wembley mosque in 2024, during an attack on Iranian dissidents—people who oppose Iran’s government. Navid Bavi was left partially paralysed. Sayed Ahmed Alwadaei, a British architect and lay preacher, has expressed support for Iran’s government; footage reportedly shows him throwing an object as violence began, but he has not been shown to have been convicted over the incident.
The case has drawn attention to how UK law treats support for groups proscribed as terrorist organisations, including Hezbollah, and the sale of items bearing their imagery. Conservative MP Alicia Kearns has called for investigations into the charity and enforcement of terrorism laws.
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Originally published by Daily Mail as “Controversial London Islamic charity hosted British pro-Iran fanatic who was once filmed attacking anti-regime protesters”.