ISLAMIC SHARIA COUNCIL OF GREAT BRITAIN & NORTHERN IRELAND
ISLAMIC SHARIA COUNCIL OF GREAT BRITAIN AND NORTHERN IRELAND
Charity Number: 1003855
FINANCIAL STATEMENTS 31st DECEMBER 2023
ISLAMIC SHARIA COUNCIL OF GREAT BRITAIN & NORTHERN IRELAND
| Registered Charity Name: | Islamic Sharia Council of Great Britain |
|---|---|
| and Northern Ireland | |
| Charity Registration No.: | 1003855 |
| Registered Office: | 34 Francis Road |
| Leyton, London E10 | |
| 6PW | |
| Trustees | Dr Suhaib Hasan |
| Dr Liaquat Ali | |
| Mr Mohammed A Sayeed | |
| (Resigned September 2023) | |
| Dr Tariq Rajbee | |
| Mr. Ali Hassan Khan | |
| (Appointed October 2023) | |
| Accountant | Rebecca Associates |
| 3 Brooks Parade | |
| Iford, Essex, | |
| IG3 9RT | |
| Bankers | Barclays bank |
| 839 High Road | |
| London | |
| E11 1HL |
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ISLAMIC SHARIA COUNCIL OF GREAT BRITAIN & NORTHERN IRELAND
TRUSTEES REPORT
NAMES AND POSITIONS OF TRUSTEES IN 2023.
Mr. M. Abu Sayeed (Chairman), (resigned in Sep 2023)
;Dr. Suhaib Hasan (Secretary)
Dr. Liaquat Ali (Treasurer)
Dr. Tariq Rajbee.
Mr. Ali Hassan Khan, (appointed October 2023)
STRUCTURE, GOVERNANCE AND MANAGEMENT .
The Trustees present their report and the financial statements for the year ended 31 December 2023. The Trustees who served during the year and up to the date of this report are listed above and on the information page.
The Islamic Sharia Council was established in 1982 in a meeting attended by various scholars representing several mosques in the UK. The Council is a Welfare and not- for-profit registered charity and has adopted a constitution on 14 March 1991.
The main function of the Council is to guide the Muslims in the UK in matters related to religious issues as well as solving their matrimonial problems. Most clients who approach the Charity are women from ethnic minorities who require help with their marital problems. The Charity can help give them relief from abusive marriages at the first instance. It also directs clients to other organisations who may be able to help them, such as marital counselling, anger management, charities who give financial help and so forth. Although costs are involved for the service provided by the Charity, these services are provided at a considerably reduced cost to our clients. We note that women who are victims of abuse are often unable to afford to apply for a civil divorce due to reduced availability of legal aid. Our staff will direct them to charities such as the national Zakah Foundation in the hope they will receive some funding.
The Charity works with all denominations of Muslims and does not discriminate because of ethnic origin, school of law or any disabilities. It treats all its clients as valued members of society and offers the best advice it can to each client.
A system of line management, appraisal, staff development and supervision are in place, together with grievance and complaints procedures, and financial procedures.
The Trust operates with a written Constitution and clear written procedures. A new Trustee will be nominated by an existing trustee; he or she will be chosen if approved by unanimous agreement.
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ISLAMIC SHARIA COUNCIL OF GREAT BRITAIN & NORTHERN IRELAND
ADDITIONAL GOVERNANCE ISSUES .
Trustees, scholars, and staff are required to be aware of Continuous Professional Development and to attend an annual training day in which policies and procedures are reviewed and improved. Participants receive training on talking to vulnerable adults, mental health issues, domestic violence, data confidentiality, current thinking in Islamic law on marriage and divorce issues and ensuring the safety and confidentiality of all clients. Representatives of a local solicitors’ firm are invited to explain issues of legal interest, such as validity of religious marriages at home and abroad, or legal effect of Non- Molestation Orders.
Members of the Council are active within the Muslim community, media, Parliament, and other arenas to promote issues of citizenship, societal harmony, mutual understanding and respect, gender equality and interfaith dialogue.
It was with great sadness that the Trustees accepted the resignation of Mr. Abu Sayeed due to his ill health. We wish him well in his retirement. We were then able to welcome Mr. Ali Hassan Khan in October 2023 as a new trustee and hope he will enjoy his tenure with the ISC. Mr. Khan has experience in book publishing and Mosque management, so we are confident he will be a great asset to the Islamic Sharia Council.
Dr. Suhaib Hasan was chosen unanimously to be the new Chairman of the ISC and Dr. Liaquat Ali continues to be the Treasurer.
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ISLAMIC SHARIA COUNCIL OF GREAT BRITAIN & NORTHERN IRELAND
OBJECTIVES AND ACTIVITIES
The objectives of the Council are
1- To help the Muslim community by
(a) Fostering and encouraging the practice of moderate and sincere Islamic faith according to the Quran and the Sunnah.
(b) Providing advice and assistance for Muslim families who need help with counselling, mediation, or religious divorce.
(c) To make decisions on matters of religious law and practice.
(d) Promoting the proper practice of the Islamic faith in the United Kingdom and engaging with the wider community to dispel myths about Islam.
2- To educate the wider community about Islam and Muslims and to offer a counternarrative to divisive and Islamophobic beliefs.
SUMMARY OF MAIN ACTIVITIES :
The staff and Trustees understand their obligation and give full regard to the Charity Commission’s public benefit guidance.
The primary role of the Trust is to benefit the wider public, especially the Muslim community, in its daily life. Most of the clients are Muslims, although we have dealt with a small number of divorce cases in which English women of Christian backgrounds had been abandoned by their Muslim husbands. We were able to assist with religious divorces to all the concerned women.
Our clients are generally Muslims who are involved in difficult disputes, whether with colleagues or family. We offer a mediation service, counselling, and religious advice at the office. Many of our clients are women with limited access to funds. We offer highly subsidized rates and also refer clients to charities that can offer financial help, such as the National Zakah Foundation.
The Trust has also forged contact with mainstream news media, interfaith organisations such as The Light Foundation and Three Faiths Forum, university Law societies and international organisations such as The Forum for Promoting Peace and FORB; scholars are available to give interviews and participate in discussions in order to counter negative understandings of Islam.
OTHER ACHIEVEMENTS OF THE TRUST IN THE PAST YEAR .
1- Participating in and speaking at the Forum for World Peace on an online platform.
2- Staff development by attending a course on GDPR rules and general data protection and data security.
- 3- The ISC was able to send representatives to attend the UK Forum for Freedom of Religion or Belief Forum at the International Ministerial Conference in London. The Ministerial was attended by thousands of parliamentarians, journalists, activists and religious organisations from across the world.
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ISLAMIC SHARIA COUNCIL OF GREAT BRITAIN & NORTHERN IRELAND
STATEMENT OF TRUSTEES’ RESPONSIBILITIES .
The Trustees are responsible for preparing the Trustees' Annual Report and the financial statements in accordance with applicable law and United Kingdom Accounting Standards (United Kingdom Generally Accepted Accounting Practice).
Law applicable to charities in England and Wales requires the Trustees to prepare financial statements for each financial year which give a true and fair view of Charity and of the incoming resources and application of resources of the Charity for that year. In preparing these financial statements, the trustees are required to:
Select suitable accounting policies and then apply them consistently.
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observe the methods and principles in the Charities SORP;
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make judgments and estimates that are reasonable and prudent.
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state whether applicable UK Accounting Standards have been followed, subject to any material departures disclosed and explained in the financial statements; and
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Prepare the financial statements on the going concern basis unless it is inappropriate to presume that the charity will continue in operation.
The Trustees are responsible for keeping proper accounting records which disclose with reasonable accuracy at any time the financial position of the Charity and enable them to ensure that the financial statements comply with the Charities Act 2011 and the Charity SORP (Accounts and Reports) Regulations. They are also responsible for safeguarding the assets of the charity and for taking steps for the prevention and detection of fraud.
DECLARATION
The Trustees declare that they have approved the trustees’ report above.
Dr Suhaib Hasan Trustee and Chairman
Date of approval:…15 October 2024…………………………..
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ISLAMIC SHARIA COUNCIL OF GREAT BRITAIN & NORTHERN IRELAND
INDEPENDENT EXAMINER’S REPORT TO THE MEMBERS YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2023
I have examined the accounts of the charity for the period ended 31[st] December 2023, which are set out on pages 6 to 11.
RESPECTIVE RESPONSIBILITIES OF THE TRUSTEES AND INDEPENDENT EXAMINER
The trustees (who are also the administrators of the charity for the purposes of charity law) are responsible for the preparation of the accounts. The charity’s trustees consider that an audit is not required for this year under section 144 of the Charities Act 2011 (the Charities Act) and that an independent examination is needed.
It is my responsibility to:
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examine the accounts under section 145 of the Charities Act,
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to follow the procedures laid down in the General Directions given by the Charities Commission under section 145(5(b)) of the Charities Act; and
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to state whether particular matters have come to my attention.
BASIS OF INDEPENDENT EXAMINER’S REPORT
My examination was carried out in accordance with the General Directions given by the Charity Commission. An examination includes a review of the accounting records kept by the charity and a comparison of the accounts presented with those records. It also includes consideration of any unusual items or disclosures in the accounts and seeking explanations from you as trustees concerning any such matters. The procedures undertaken do not provide all the evidence that would be required in an audit, and consequently, I do not express an audit opinion on the view given by the accounts.
INDEPENDENT EXAMINER'S STATEMENT
In connection with my examination, no matter has come to my attention to indicate that:
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accounting records have not been kept in accordance with Charities Act 2011
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the accounts do not accord with such records:
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where accounts are prepared on an accruals basis, whether they fail to comply with relevant
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accounting requirements and, or are not consistent with the Charities SORP (FRS102)
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any matter which the examiner believes should be drawn to the attention of the reader to gain a
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proper understanding of the accounts
Signature:
Name of Independent Examiner: FARYAL SAADAR IFA
This report was approved by the Independent Examiner on ............... October 2023
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ISLAMIC SHARIA COUNCIL OF GREAT BRITAIN & NORTHERN IRELAND
STATEMENT OF FINANCIAL ACTIVITIES (INCOME AND EXPENDITURE ACCOUNT) YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2023
| Unrestricted | Unrestricted | Restricted | Total Funds | Total Funds | Total Funds | Total Funds | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Funds | Funds | 2023 | 2022 | ||||||||
| Note | £ |
£ | £ | £ | |||||||
| INCOMING RESOURCES | |||||||||||
| Incoming resources from | |||||||||||
| generating funds: | |||||||||||
| Voluntary income | |||||||||||
| Fees | 2 | 153,700 | 153,700 | 147,182 | |||||||
| Grants | 3 | ||||||||||
| Activities for generating | |||||||||||
| funds | 4 | ||||||||||
| Investment income | 5 | ||||||||||
| Incoming resources from | |||||||||||
| charitable activities | |||||||||||
| - | - | - | - | ||||||||
| TOTAL INCOMING | |||||||||||
| RESOURCES | 153,700 | 153,700 | 147,182 | ||||||||
| - | - | - | - | ||||||||
| RESOURCES EXPENDED | |||||||||||
| Cost of generating funds | 6 | ||||||||||
| Charitable activities | 7 | (48,270) | (48,270) | (101,428) | |||||||
| Governance costs | (120,577) | (120,577) | (32,870) | ||||||||
| - | - | - | - | ||||||||
| TOTAL RESOURCES | |||||||||||
| EXPENDED | (168,847) | (168,847) | (134,298) | ||||||||
| - | - | - | - | ||||||||
| NET (OUTGOING) / | |||||||||||
| INCOMING RESOURCES | |||||||||||
| FOR THE YEAR | (15,147) | (15,147) | 12,884 | ||||||||
| RECONCILIATION OF | |||||||||||
| FUNDS | |||||||||||
| Total funds brought forward | 16,690 | 24,975 | 16,690 | 3,806 | |||||||
| - | - | - | - | ||||||||
| TOTAL FUNDS CARRIED FORWARD |
1,543 | 24,975 |
1,543 | 16,690 |
The Statement of Financial Activities includes all gains and losses in the year and therefore a statement of total recognized gains and losses has not been prepared.
All the above amounts relate to continuing activities.
The notes on pages 5 to 8 form part of these financial statements.
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ISLAMIC SHARIA COUNCIL OF GREAT BRITAIN & NORTHERN IRELAND
BALANCE SHEET AS AT 31 DECEMBER 2023
| 2023 Note £ £ ASSETS Building 640,350 Office equipment ====== 25,187 Debtors 00 Cash at bank and in hand 9 1,331 ---------- - 26,518 CREDITORS: Amounts falling due after one year 10 (0) ------------- - NET CURRENT ASSETS 26,518 - TOTAL ASSETS LESS CURRENT LIABILITIES 26,518 ---------- NET ASSETS 26,518 ====== FUNDS Unrestricted income funds 11 1,543 Restricted income funds 12 24,975 ------------ TOTAL FUNDS 26,518 ======= |
2022 £ £ 640,350 ====== 23,763 497 18,255 - 42,515 (850) - 41,665 - 41,665 ----------- 41,665 ======= 16,690 24,975 ---------- 41,665 ====== |
|---|---|
For the financial year ended 31 December 2023 the Charity was entitled to exemption from audit in accordance with the Charity Commission guidance.
These financial statements have been prepared in accordance with the Charities Statement of Recommended Practice (FRS 102 SORP)
These financial statements were approved by the Trustees on:
Dr Suhaib Hasan (Chair):
Dr Liaquat Ali (Treasurer):
The notes on pages 5 to 8 form part of these financial statements.
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ISLAMIC SHARIA COUNCIL OF GREAT BRITAIN & NORTHERN IRELAND
NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2023
1. ACCOUNTING POLICIES
Basis of accounting
The financial statements have been prepared in accordance with applicable accounting standards and follow the recommendations in the Statement of Recommended Practice Accounting and Reporting by Charities (SORP). The accounts have been compiled on a basis that enables surplus or deficit to be calculated in accordance with UK Generally Accepted Accounting Practice and Charities Act 2011 and with the Financial Reporting Standard for Smaller Entities.
Incoming resources
All incoming resources of a revenue nature are included as income to the period to which they relate to donation for the furtherance of the community around Dagenham.
Resources expended
All expenditure is included on an accrual basis, inclusive of any VAT, which cannot be recovered. Expenditure is allocated to specific activities where the cost relates directly to that activity.
Restricted funds
Restricted income received are accounted for separately as restricted funds and are used for the purposes specified by the donor
2. VOLUNTARY INCOME GRANTS:
Miscellaneous
| Unrestricted | Restricted | Total Funds | Total Funds |
|---|---|---|---|
| Funds | Funds | 2023 | 2022 |
| £ | £ | £ | £ |
| - | - | - | - |
| = | = | = | = |
3. INCOME:
| Unrestricted | Restricted | Total Funds | Total Funds | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Funds | Funds | 2023 | 2022 | |
| £ | £ | £ | £ | |
| Fees Received | 153,700 | 153,700 | 147,182 |
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ISLAMIC SHARIA COUNCIL OF GREAT BRITAIN & NORTHERN IRELAND
NOTES TO THE FINANCIALSTATEMENTSYEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2023
4. ACTIVITIES FOR GENERATING FUNDS:
Commission on Sales
| Unrestricted | Total Funds | Total Funds |
|---|---|---|
| Funds | 2023 | 2022 |
| £ | £ | £ |
| - | - | |
| - | ||
| = | = | = |
5. INVESTMENT INCOME :
| VESTMENT INCOME : | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Unrestricted | Total Funds | Total Funds | |
| Funds | 2023 | 2022 | |
| £ | £ | £ | |
| Bank Interest Received | |||
| - | - | - | |
| = | = | = | |
| OSTS OF GENERATING FUNDS: | |||
| Total Funds | Total Funds | ||
| 2023 | 2022 | ||
| £ | £ | ||
| Building Cost | ….0 | ….0 | |
| - | - | ||
| ….0 | ….0 | ||
| = | = | ||
| OSTS OF CHARITABLE ACTIVITIES: | |||
| Total Funds | Total Funds | ||
| 2023 | 2022 | ||
| £ | £ | ||
| Charitable costs | 168,847 | 134,298 |
6. COSTS OF GENERATING FUNDS:
7. COSTS OF CHARITABLE ACTIVITIES:
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ISLAMIC SHARIA COUNCIL OF GREAT BRITAIN & NORTHERN IRELAND
NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2023
7a. STAFF COSTS:
| Total Funds | Total Funds | |
|---|---|---|
| 2023 | 2022 | |
| £ | £ | |
| Staff Salaries | 77,828 | 67,244 |
| - | - | |
| = | ||
| 7b. SUPPORT COSTS: |
| Volunteers’ expenses Printing Rates Phone Leasing & Repair Bank Charges Insurance Utilities Miscellaneous |
Total Funds 2023 Total Funds 2022 £ £ 0 0 1,363 1,169 2,363 2,951 8,336 7,797 3,591 3,352 97 124 0 1,481 2,604 1,616 372 15,693 - 18,726 34,183 |
|---|---|
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ISLAMIC SHARIA COUNCIL OF GREAT BRITAIN & NORTHERN IRELAND
NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2023
| 8.Contractors: | ||
|---|---|---|
| Total Funds | Total Funds | |
| 2023 | 2022 | |
| £ | £ | |
| Professional Cost |
25,727 | 32,870 |
| - | - | |
| 25,727 | 32,870 | |
| = | = | |
| 9.CASH AT BANK AND IN HAND | ||
| 2023 | 2022 | |
| £ | £ | |
| Barclays current account | 1,331 | 18,255 |
| - | - | |
| = | = | |
| 10.CREDITORS: Amounts falling due within one year | ||
| 2023 | 2022 | |
| £ | £ | |
| Mahr bank | 0 | 850 |
| Creditors Outstanding | 0 | 0 |
| Accruals-(Fatwa Council & Quran society) | ….0 | …….0 |
| 0 | 850 | |
| ======= | ========== |
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