A radical imam is still hosting talks in primary schools, despite being ruled as an extremist preacher.
In 2016, a High Court judge found Shakeel Begg’s position as an imam put him in a place where he could “plant the seed of Islamic extremism in a young mind”.
But Begg has remained head imam of the Lewisham Islamic Centre [LIC], which has regularly hosted schoolchildren from the local borough.
The mosque has received hundreds of thousands of pounds in Government grants for its school, which closed in 2019. It also retains links with the local council, reports The Times.
The BBC had previously described Begg as an “extremist” who sued the broadcaster for libel. Lord Justice Haddon-Cave, who oversaw the libel action, found in favour of the broadcaster in 2016.
He concluded Begg had been “telling Muslims that violence in support of Islam would constitute a man’s greatest deed”.
Begg has continued to engage with the community despite the High Court finding against him. According to LIC’s Facebook page, it hosted children from local schools, including primary-age pupils, on at least six occasions in 2022 and 2023.
It posted pictures of Begg in discussions with schoolchildren.
GB News has approached the LIC for a comment.
Communities minister Michael Gove told the House of Commons that the Begg case was among examples brought to the government’s attention that galvanised it to issue a new extremism definition.
Gove warned that individuals and organisations with extreme views had nevertheless benefited from state engagement, endorsement and support, and “furthermore have exploited that association to further their extremist agendas.”
Despite the High Court finding against him, Begg has continued to engage with the community hosting children from local schools, including primary-age pupils, on at least six occasions in 2022 and 2023. It posted pictures of Begg in discussions with schoolchildren.
A spokesperson for Lewisham council said: “We work with organisations which engage with the many different groups within our community, and faith organisations of all kinds are a very important part of that. There are a significant number of Muslims in Lewisham and the Lewisham Islamic Centre as a body supports our efforts to increase and sustain community cohesion.”
Police have also continued to engage with Begg, with Lewisham police giving testimony to assist his libel case against the BBC. They highlighted his “principled” stance against Prevent, the counter-extremism programme.
A Met Police spokesperson told The Times: “Mr Begg does not hold an advisory role with the Met. He attended a faith breakfast alongside representatives from other religious backgrounds.
“These events are part of our critical engagement work to understand the effect of policing on all of our communities. The main focus of this particular event was a discussion around the stop-and-search charter.
“An attendee’s presence at an event does not amount to our support for their views. We do not condone any views which encourage division.”
https://www.gbnews.com/news/imam-children-plant-seed-extremism-shakeel-begg-lewisham