Mosque Leader Suspended Amid Inquiry into Hamas Video Post

The chair of one of Bristol’s largest mosques, Easton Jamia Masjid, has been suspended as part of an inquiry by the Charity Commission. Abdul Malik faces scrutiny following the sharing of a video related to the attacks on Israel by Hamas on October 7, 2023. This action has prompted an ongoing regulatory compliance case to assess concerns regarding his personal use of social media.

The Charity Commission confirmed the suspension, stating, “We have an ongoing regulatory compliance case into Easton Jamia Masjid to assess concerns regarding a trustee’s personal use of social media. As part of this case, we can confirm that we have suspended Abdul Malik as a trustee.” Malik himself shared on Facebook that he had been “temporarily suspended” while the regulator reviews the matter.

In addition to the Charity Commission’s investigation, Malik has already received a formal warning from the Judicial Conduct Investigations Office (JCIO) for serious misconduct. The JCIO reported that a post on his Facebook timeline included a video from Hamas regarding their actions in southern Israel. Initially, Malik claimed he had only been tagged in the post, but he later acknowledged that he himself had shared it.

Despite his repeated apologies and assertions that he does not support Hamas, the JCIO concluded that Malik’s actions “had a detrimental effect” on the “reputation of the magistracy,” leading to the formal warning.

Malik has since stated on his social media that he is cooperating fully with the Charity Commission to resolve the situation swiftly. He emphasized that the review process is administrative and does not imply any wrongdoing on his part. “I continue to cooperate fully with the commission to resolve it as quickly as possible,” he remarked.

He also reassured his community that his service, inter-faith work, and equality campaigning in Bristol would “continue without interruption.” Malik expressed confidence that the review process would conclude fairly, stating, “I appreciate everyone who has reached out with support; it means a great deal.”

This situation has raised concerns in the community, prompting discussions about the impact of social media on public figures and the responsibilities that come with such roles. The outcome of the Charity Commission’s investigation will likely have ramifications not only for Malik but also for Easton Jamia Masjid and its reputation within the broader community.

As the inquiry continues, many are watching closely to see how it unfolds and what it means for community leadership in Bristol.