Islamic Centre of England
Corporate brand
UnclaimedA London-based Islamic religious and cultural institution housed in a former listed cinema.
Last updated August 26, 2026
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Overview
The Islamic Centre of England is a religious, cultural and educational institution based at 140 Maida Vale in London. It operates through Islamic Centre of England Limited, a UK private company limited by guarantee, and describes its purpose as serving members of the Muslim community while also providing services to the wider public. Its activities have included religious guidance, congregational worship, cultural programming, family counselling and community support. Programmes have been conducted in English, Arabic, Persian and Urdu, and the centre has reported operating throughout the year with a daily congregation of approximately 50 to 100 people. The institution was established in December 1995 under the supervision of Ayatollah Mohsen Araki, who became its first director. It officially opened in November 1998. The centre's premises are a former cinema known as the Maida Vale Picture House, a Grade II listed building with an early twentieth-century auditorium, domed architecture and distinctive copper-topped towers. Before its religious use, the building had served successively as a cinema, ballroom and bingo venue. The centre has been associated with Iranian religious and state institutions in public reporting. Its governing arrangements have been described as requiring one trustee to be a representative of Iran's Supreme Leader, and critics have characterized it as a platform for the Iranian government. The institution has disputed or attracted scrutiny over the implications of these links, particularly concerning its governance, public programming and relationship to Iranian political positions. Its public profile increased after a candlelit vigil for Qasem Soleimani was held at the premises in January 2020. Soleimani had been subject to UK financial sanctions connected with terrorism or terrorist financing. The Charity Commission subsequently issued an official warning under section 75A of the Charities Act 2011 concerning alleged misconduct or mismanagement, including the centre's use of speakers who had publicly supported Iranian-backed violence in the Middle East. On 22 November 2022, the Charity Commission opened a statutory inquiry into Islamic Centre of England Limited. The inquiry focused on serious governance concerns, including the administration of the charity by its trustees and the identification and management of conflicts of interest or loyalty. The centre was closed on 24 May 2023 pending further investigation and was reported to have reopened in July 2023 after meeting specified insurance requirements while the inquiry continued. The centre has also participated in interfaith and community initiatives. In 2017, representatives were involved in Benedictine-Shia dialogue and a Christian Muslim Forum. On 18 February 2018, it took part in the Visit My Mosque open day. Its wider educational links include the Islamic College for Advanced Studies and Hawza Ilmiyya of England in Willesden. The centre publishes the monthly magazine Islam Today and jointly publishes the scholarly journal Message of Thaqalayn with a publisher in Qom, Iran.
History
The Islamic Centre of England was founded in December 1995 under the supervision of Ayatollah Mohsen Araki, who served as its first director. It formally opened in November 1998 in a former cinema at Maida Vale in London. The centre presents itself as an institution dedicated to Islamic religious instruction, cultural education and services for both Muslims and the wider community. Its programme has included worship, lectures, counselling, family assistance and multilingual community activities in English, Arabic, Persian and Urdu. The building has a substantial pre-existing history. It was designed by Edward A. Stone and opened as the Picture Palace on 27 January 1913 with seating for 1,001 people. The cinema was later renamed the Picture House and passed through several theatrical operators. It closed during the Second World War, reopened in 1949 as the Carlton Rooms ballroom and subsequently became a bingo club in 1961. The property received Grade II listed status in 1991. The bingo operator closed in 1996, around the period in which the building was adapted for use by the Islamic Centre of England. The centre developed activities beyond regular worship. It was linked to the Islamic College for Advanced Studies and Hawza Ilmiyya of England, both based in Willesden. The institution also became involved in interfaith work, including Benedictine-Shia dialogue and the Christian Muslim Forum in 2017. In February 2018 it participated in the Visit My Mosque open day. Its publishing activity has included Islam Today, described as a monthly magazine, and Message of Thaqalayn, a scholarly journal jointly published with a publisher in Qom. Public controversy has largely concerned the centre's relationship with Iran and its governance. Public accounts have described its governing document as requiring a trustee to represent Iran's Supreme Leader. Critics have consequently portrayed the institution as an Iranian government mouthpiece and alleged that it has provided a platform for views supporting Iranian-backed violence or served as a base for pressure against Iranian dissidents and critics in Britain. The most prominent regulatory episode followed a January 2020 candlelit vigil for Qasem Soleimani. Soleimani had been sanctioned by HM Treasury in connection with terrorism or terrorist financing. The Charity Commission later issued an official warning under section 75A of the Charities Act 2011, citing alleged misconduct or mismanagement. On 22 November 2022, the commission opened a statutory inquiry into Islamic Centre of England Limited, examining trustee governance, administration and conflicts of interest or loyalty. The centre closed on 24 May 2023 while further investigation took place and was reported to have reopened in July after complying with insurance requirements. The ultimate status and outcome of the regulatory process are not established by the supplied reference material.
- 2023
Temporary closure and reported reopening
[1]The centre closed in May during regulatory scrutiny and was reported to have reopened in July after meeting insurance requirements.
- 2022
Statutory inquiry begins
[1]The Charity Commission opened an inquiry into the organisation's governance and trustee administration on 22 November.
- 2018
Visit My Mosque participation
[1]The centre joined the Visit My Mosque open day on 18 February.
- 2017
Interfaith participation
[1]Representatives participated in Benedictine-Shia dialogue and a Christian Muslim Forum.
- 2014
Mohammad Ali Shomali becomes imam
[1]Mohammad Ali Shomali is identified as imam of the centre from 2014.
- 1998
Official opening
[1]The centre officially opened in November at the Maida Vale premises.
- 1995
Centre founded
[1]The Islamic Centre of England was established under the supervision of Mohsen Araki.
- 1991
Building receives Grade II listing
[1]The former cinema building was designated a Grade II listed structure.
- 1913
Former cinema opens as the Picture Palace
[1]The building that now houses the centre opened as the 1,001-seat Picture Palace on 27 January.
Products and positioning
A London-based Shia Islamic religious, educational and cultural centre serving the Muslim community and the wider public, with additional public attention arising from its reported institutional links to Iran.
Monthly magazine
Islam Today
A monthly publication associated with the Islamic Centre of England, covering Islamic religious, cultural and community subjects.
Scholarly journal
Message of Thaqalayn
A scholarly Islamic journal jointly published by the centre and a publisher in Qom, Iran.
Controversies
2023
Closure during regulatory scrutiny
The centre closed in May 2023 pending further investigation and was reported to have reopened in July after meeting insurance requirements.
2022
Statutory governance inquiry
The Charity Commission opened a statutory inquiry into governance, trustee administration and potential conflicts of interest or loyalty.
2020
Soleimani vigil and Charity Commission warning
A vigil for Qasem Soleimani and the centre's association with speakers supporting Iranian-backed violence led to an official warning from the Charity Commission concerning alleged misconduct or mismanagement.
Marketing campaigns
- 2018Visit My Mosque open day
United Kingdom
The centre participated in the Visit My Mosque open day, an outreach initiative intended to encourage public visits and engagement with mosques.
Outcome. Participation is documented; a specific attendance or business outcome is not available.
Brand decisions
2023
Temporary closure and reopeningStrategyBackground
The centre closed while the Charity Commission's investigation continued.
Action taken
It closed on 24 May and was reported to have reopened in July after complying with insurance requirements.
Aftermath
The regulatory inquiry remained ongoing in the supplied material, so the final outcome is unknown.
2022
Charity Commission launches statutory inquiryOtherBackground
The commission cited serious concerns about governance and trustee administration.
Action taken
A statutory inquiry was opened on 22 November to examine governance and conflicts of interest or loyalty.
Aftermath
The investigation continued into 2023, when the centre temporarily closed.
2020
Trustees permit a candlelit vigil for Qasem SoleimaniOtherBackground
The vigil followed the assassination of Soleimani, who was subject to UK financial sanctions.
Action taken
The trustees allowed the event to take place at the centre's premises.
Aftermath
The event became part of the Charity Commission's subsequent regulatory concerns and official warning.
Sources1 sources
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