British Islamic charity is being investigated for praising assassinated Iranian general Qassem Soleimani as a martyr

A British charity is being investigated for praising assassinated Iranian general Qassem Soleimani as a martyr.

The Islamic Centre of England, a charity with assets of more than £4 million reportedly organized a vigil at the Islamic Centre in Maida Vale, London, on Saturday (Jan.4) to commemorate the warlord.

The event was attended by more than 2,000 people, including Iran’s ambassador to London, The Times reported.

Seyed Moosavi, 51, the charity’s director and the UK representative of Iranian leader Ayatollah Khamenei praised Soleimani as a ‘dedicated soldier of Islam’ who had died at the hands of ‘the most wicked members of the human race’.

The Islamic Centre’s director also referred to Soleimani as an ‘honourable Islamic commander’ in a message of condolence.  Qasem Soleimani, who was the commander of Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guards Corps (IRGC) Quds Force unit killed last week alongside his deputy  Abu Mahdi al-Muhandis in a United States airstrike ordered by President Donald Trump.

The memorial service was held 25 minutes after a man was arrested outside the centre to prevent the breach of peace and for obstructing officers.

Confirming the investigation, the Charity Commission said: ‘We are aware of a vigil… and publications on its website. We will be contacting the charity to seek further information.’