News / Politics
Councillor suspended from mosque role
A councillor has been suspended from his leadership position at a city mosque due to a video he shared on social media in 2023.
Green councillor and chair of Easton Jamia Masjid, Abdul Malik, is under investigation by the Charity Commission for a post that he shared on Facebook which contained a video from Hamas about their attack on southern Israel.
The government body said Malik had been suspended from his mosque role as part of an “ongoing regulatory compliance case” that was assessing concerns about the politician’s personal use of social media.
“As part of this case, we can confirm that we have suspended Abdul Malik as a trustee,” the commission added.
Speaking to Bristol24/7, Malik said he has a month to respond to the commission’s concerns and emphasised his condemnation of Hamas and extremism.
Abdul Malik was the chair of Jamia Masjid on St Mark’s Road – photo: Betty Woolerton
The video shared in October 2023 in the wake of the attack on Israel was taken down after Malik, who is also a magistrate, was issued a formal warning for misconduct by the Judicial Conduct Investigations Office (JCIO).
Malik had initially claimed that he had been tagged in the post by someone else, but later admitted that he must have shared the video himself.
The Green councillor for Ashley told Bristol24/7: “I want to be absolutely clear that as a person I reject and condemn all types of extremism, especially Hamas, in this context.
“The post in question was shared in error. I’ve said that many times, and it was removed, and I’ve apologised.”
Malik added that he has “served the mosque on his hands and knees” for the last 14 years.
“I’ve served in the way that service should be done, and it’s just a real shame that we are where we are,” he said.
He added: “I’d like to really express my thanks to the city.
“The amount of solidarity and the organisations that have come forward to support me has been absolutely amazing and I’d like to thank the community for that.”
Abdul Malik is a Green Party city councillor for the Ashley ward, a local businessman and a community leader – photo: Abdul Malik
In a statement of warning issued in February, the JCIO said Malik claimed he had shared the post “believing it came from a UK-based charity which uses a similar acronym” that generally advocates for humanitarian aid in Palestine.
Further investigations by a JCIO’s nominated committee member (NCM) found that Malik’s actions amounted to “serious misconduct” and that he had “failed to exercise due care and diligence” by sharing the post and his initial denial of responsibility.
The statement added: “The NCM also found that Malik had failed to disclose the matter to his bench chair when it first gained media attention.
“The NCM found that Malik’s actions had a detrimental effect upon the dignity, standing and good reputation of the magistracy.
“In recommending a formal warning, the NCM took into consideration Malik’s previously unblemished conduct record and good standing within the community, including in his role as chair of a large mosque.
“After Malik accepted that he shared the post, he had been consistently remorseful. He repeatedly apologised, expressed contempt for Hamas and gave assurances as to his future conduct.
“The NCM found Malik’s statements sincere and consistent with his exemplary actions in the local community.”
Bristol24/7 has contacted the Charity Commission for more details on the investigation.
Main photo: Abdul Malik
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