Manchester Mosque Declines Misinformation Campaign Over Sharia Job Ad

Manchester Mosque Declines Misinformation Campaign Over Sharia Job Ad
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A mosque in south Manchester has rejected misinformation following a job advert for a Shariah Law Administrator linked to the Manchester Islamic Centre (Didsbury Mosque), Iqna.ir reported. The advert, posted on the UK government’s “Find a Job” website, offered £23,500 annually for administrative support to the Manchester Shariah Council. It was later removed amid far-right criticism and claims the UK was endorsing a “parallel legal system.”

Far-right figures, including Reform UK leader Nigel Farage and Independent MP Rupert Lowe, condemned the listing. In response, Didsbury Mosque stated these claims were “deliberately misinformed” and aimed at inciting hate. The mosque clarified the role was community-funded by a registered charity, with the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) only hosting the advert as a platform.

The mosque emphasized it operates fully within British law and that the Shariah Council provides religious guidance and civil arbitration under the Arbitration Act 1996, without legal authority. False claims about taxing non-Muslims were described as “inflammatory and xenophobic” and reported to police. The mosque plans to reword the advert to prevent misunderstanding. A DWP spokesperson confirmed the ad was submitted by an independent charity and complies with strict guidelines.