Controversial London Islamic charity hosted British pro-Iran fanatic who was once filmed attacking anti-regime protesters

A controversial Islamic charity hosted a British pro-Iran fanatic who was once filmed attacking anti-regime protesters.The Islamic Centre of England in Maida Vale, central London, is under investigation by the Charity Commission over its alleged links to Tehran.Last year, it emerged that the organisation had hosted a bazaar where a man was seen selling a phone case bearing the image of Hassan Nasrallah - the former leader of Hezbollah, a banned Iran-backed terror group. The Daily Mail can now reveal that the man, Sayed Ahmed Alwadaei, is an avowed supporter of Iran's fundamentalist regime who was caught on camera assaulting dissidents at a protest in London.The 30-year-old architect and Shia lay preacher admitted to a newspaper in April: 'I am a supporter of the Iranian regime. I wouldn't say that I'm an extremist.'And in May 2024, he was filmed at an attack on Iranian dissidents outside a Wembley mosque holding a memorial for Iranian president Ebrahim Raisi - who has been described as the 'Butcher of Tehran'.Footage appears to show him throwing an object as the violence began.Iranian dissident Navid Bavi was left partially paralysed after being punched and kicked as he lay in the road, while a young woman was knocked to the ground and kicked in the face.Mr Bavi told the Jewish Chronicle he believes that Mr Alwadaei could have been one of his attackers.Conservative MP and former foreign affairs select committee chair Alicia Kearns has criticised the Islamic Centre of England for 'platforming' Mr Alwadaei and demanded action against the charity. Sayed Ahmed Alwadaei, a 30-year-old architect and Shia lay preacher, sold pro-Hezbollah items during a charity bazaar at the Islamic Centre of England in Maida Vale An Instagram account advertising a business selling laser art engraved products includes posts promoting products engraved with Hezbollah leaders'Government inaction against those selling terrorist-celebrating merchandise and assaulting those protesting against the Iranian Ayatollah is inexcusable,' she told the Mail. 'The examples of Alwadaei and Meerwali show our laws are no longer enforced under Labour.'How can ministers acknowledge the anti-Semitism emergency while tolerating such individuals spreading their hateful poison in our society?'Our laws against terrorists must be fully enforced, individuals investigated and charged, and any charity found to platform offenders disqualified and disbanded, including the Islamic Centre for England and Dar Alhekma Trust.'In 2022, Mr Alwadaei was filmed leading a pro-regime rally in chants of 'We are soldiers of Khamenei' and 'Death to the hypocrites', a slogan aimed at the regime's opponents.The woman beside him at the bazaar is believed to be his wife Huda Meerwali.The pair are naturalised British citizens, the Mail understands. An X account in Ms Meerwali's name has repeatedly posted material glorifying proscribed terror groups.Its profile picture shows Hezbollah figures, including Imad Mughniyeh, the group's late commander who was behind a string of bombings and kidnappings.Evidence seen by the Mail also links the pair to Athar, an Instagram shop selling laser-engraved items bearing the images of Nasrallah and Hezbollah commander Ibrahim Aqeel.Campaigners say the material could breach Section 12 of the Terrorism Act 2000, which makes it an offence to invite support for a banned organisation. Footage from an Islamic Centre in London charity bazaar shows Sayad Ahmed Alwadaei and a women thought to be his wife Huda Meerwali, selling a phone case with a Nasrallah image The footage and merchandise have been criticised by Tory shadow Home Office minister Alicia KearnsIt is not the first time the Islamic Centre of England has come under scrutiny. Its successive heads have served as UK representatives of Iran's supreme leader and MPs have described it as the Revolutionary Guards' 'London office'.The Charity Commission issued the centre with an official warning after it held two events in 2020 eulogising Qasem Soleimani, the IRGC commander killed in a US drone strike. In November 2022 the regulator opened a statutory inquiry after finding the trustees had failed to fully comply with that warning.This followed reports that its director had branded Iranian protesters 'soldiers of Satan'.The centre closed its doors in May 2023 and the Commission appointed an interim manager to work alongside its trustees.A government spokesperson said: 'It is a criminal offence to encourage terrorism, invite support for Hezbollah, or glorify the malign activities of the IRGC.'The independent police, Crown Prosecution Service, and courts determine whether or not an offence has been committed.'The Daily Mail has contacted Mr Alwadaei and Ms Meerwali for comment.