Regulator Acts on Governance Issues at Dudley Mosque
The Charity Commission has published an update on its inquiries into Dudley Central Mosque and Muslim Community Centre and The Muslim Community Centre and Mosque 1977.
Following years of regulatory concerns and uncertainty over the management of a local mosque in Dudley, the charity regulator for England and Wales has merged two disputing charities to run the premises as one organisation.
The regulator has also set out how the interim trustees appointed to Dudley Mosque and Community Centre are to hold elections. Trustees have been given a clearer framework to appoint future trustees and admit members to the new charity, offering a transparent way for members of the community to be involved in the charity moving forward.
The Charity Commission is using its legal powers, to merge unregistered charity, Muslim Community Centre and Mosque 1977, with Dudley Central Mosque and Muslim Community Centre . The regulator has taken action in a bid to resolve confusion around which charity is responsible for the mosque and its day to day management.
To date, the existence of two charities, both with complicated structures, has exacerbated a dispute between involved parties. The regulator continues to encourage parties to mediate, as talks previously had not progressed in part due to the complexity of this case.
The Commission has created a new Governing Document to enable the newly combined charity to operate effectively, an unprecedented use of its powers which have not been applied in this way for over 20 years.
The new Governing Document, which incorporates workable parts from each charity’s existing governing documents, sets out rules on how the charity should run in line with charity law and the Commission’s guidance. It will guide elected trustees on matters such as decision-making, minute-taking, roles and responsibilities, and membership at the charity. All charities require a clear and workable governing document to ensure they can operate effectively and deliver for their beneficiaries.
Background
The Commission launched an inquiry into Dudley Central Mosque and Muslim Community Centre in July 2022 over repeated failure to meet its accounting requirements, despite previous regulatory engagement.
In April 2025, the Commission opened a separate inquiry into the Muslim Community Centre and Mosque 1977 over concerns that the dispute between the two organisations posed a risk to charity property.
Both inquiries remain ongoing.
Notes:
https://www.gov.uk/government/news/regulator-exercises-legal-powers-to-tackle-years-of-governance-concerns-at-dudley-mosque
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