Bristol Mosque Leader Suspended Amid Hamas Video Investigation

A prominent mosque leader in Bristol has been suspended from his position following an investigation into a video he shared on social media related to the Hamas attacks on Israel. Abdul Malik, who serves as both a councillor and magistrate, faces scrutiny from the Charity Commission for his actions, as concerns mount regarding his conduct as a trustee.

The Charity Commission confirmed that it has launched a regulatory compliance case concerning Easton Jamia Masjid. The commission stated, “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 investigation, Mr. Malik has been suspended as a trustee, and he publicly acknowledged this suspension on his Facebook page, indicating it is tied to a “historic social-media matter.”

Background of the Incident

The controversy began after Mr. Malik shared a video from Hamas on his Facebook timeline in the wake of the attacks on Israel on October 7, 2023. Initially, he claimed he had only been tagged in the post by another user. However, he later admitted to sharing the video himself. The Judicial Conduct Investigations Office (JCIO) issued him a formal warning for serious misconduct, stating that his actions had a “detrimental effect” on the reputation of the magistracy.

Despite his repeated apologies and assertions that he does not support Hamas, the JCIO found sufficient grounds for the warning. Mr. Malik has expressed his intent to cooperate fully with the Charity Commission as they review the incident. “This is an administrative process, not a finding of wrongdoing, and I continue to cooperate fully with the commission to resolve it as quickly as possible,” he stated.

Community Impact and Statements

Mr. Malik emphasized that his community service, inter-faith work, and equality campaigning in Bristol will proceed “without interruption” during the investigation. He expressed confidence that the review process will be fair and that “the facts will speak for themselves.”

He also thanked those who reached out to him for support, acknowledging the emotional toll this situation has taken. “I appreciate everyone who has reached out with support; it means a great deal,” he said.

The suspension of Mr. Malik has sparked discussions within the Bristol community about the implications of social media conduct for public figures, particularly in sensitive political contexts. As the investigation continues, many are watching closely to see how this situation unfolds and its potential impact on community relations.