British Muslim charity issues ‘heartfelt condolences’ to slain Iranian Supreme Leader amid plans for major Islamic centre

Established in 1983, the Khoja Shia Ithna-Asheri Muslim Community of London (KSIMC) represents the Khoja Twelver community, followers of one of the largest branches of Shia Islam with roots in Indian Hindu converts.

It operates Mosques, community centres and welfare services through a trustee-led charity structure. They are now seeking to establish a new base of operations in the heart of Harefield, a close-knit community in the borough of Hillingdon.

Following the killing of the Ayatollah in joint US and Israeli strikes on the Islamic regime in Tehran, the KSIMC shared a tribute to the late leader in its community WhatsApp group chat.

“It is with profound sorrow and grief that we extend our heartfelt condolences on the passing of His Eminence Ayatollah Sayyid Ali Khamenei (may Allah be pleased with him),” the message read.

“In this moment of loss, we are reminded of the fragility of our worldly lives and the enduring necessity of upholding the values of patience, dignity, and unity.

“We pray that Allah (SWT) grants him the highest ranks in the company of the righteous, and that He bestows upon all those mourning the gift of Sabr, a patience that is beautiful and enduring.

“May we find the strength to support one another, to preserve the legacy of faith, and to move forward with hearts anchored in the mercy and wisdom of the Almighty.”

It concluded with a passage from the Koran, which read: “‘And give good news to the patient. Those who, when an affliction visits them, say, ‘Indeed we belong to Allah and to Him do we indeed return.’”

Accompanying the tribute was an image of a black banner bearing white Arabic text, which translated to: “Indeed we belong to God, and indeed to Him we shall return.”

Before his death, the Ayatollah’s theocratic regime was accused of “widespread, intentional and disproportionate” violence against civilians by the global community following mass protests across Iran.

Despite the message not explicitly endorsing the Iranian regime's actions, the tribute drew criticism from the community the charity is hoping to establish itself within.

Gerard Barry, a leading local voice in opposing the KSIMC’s plans for Harefield, told GB News: “This is Hujjat (KSIMC) offering their condolences for the death of the Ayatollah, who recently ordered that tens of thousands of Iranian civilians be shot in the streets.

“That a UK-based charity could possibly offer up such heartfelt sympathy for a man who spread terror across the world is a very worrying development.

“We stand firm in Harefield in opposing Hujjat’s plans for a mosque in our village,” the prospective Reform UK councillor stressed.

The KSIMC has butted heads with the locals of Harefield since completing the £33million purchase of a 6.3-acre office campus at Widewater Place, just a short drive from the village’s picturesque green.

Harefield is known by many of its 7000 residents as the “last village in London”. Just north of Ruislip, it is the only part of the capital still surrounded by farms and fields.

In January, GB News revealed the extent of local anger at the Islamic organisation’s plans, which could regularly attract between 6,000 and 10,000 community members to the village.

“It’d be a dramatic shift in character for a village like ours. It is an enormous imposition, and we simply won't accept it,” Mr Barry told The People’s Channel.

For its part, the KSIMC insists it is keeping the concerns of Harefield locals in mind as it pursues the vast development.

In promoting the project, the charity repeatedly stated that cooperation with the local community remains a key priority.

“Interfaith work is also high on our list of priorities. We regularly seek to engage with our neighbours from other faith traditions,” the charity proclaims on its website.

GB News has approached the KSIMC for comment.

Our Standards: The GB News Editorial Charter