Fake Councils & Bad Practice
Beware of Fake Islamic Councils and Unethical Practices
Choosing an Islamic council to deal with matters of marriage, khula or divorce requires care.
Unfortunately, we have received complaints and reports concerning organisations whose practices raise serious questions about transparency, accountability and procedural fairness.
Before approaching any organisation, make sure you know who you are dealing with, how they operate and whether they can be held accountable.
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A legitimate and accountable Islamic council should be transparent about its identity, leadership, contact details and place of operation.
Be cautious of organisations that:
Have no publicly identifiable office or physical premises.
Provide only a PO Box or private residential address without explaining where they operate.
Conduct sensitive divorce proceedings exclusively through WhatsApp or informal messaging groups.
Refuse to disclose who is handling your case or where the organisation is based.
Use names, email addresses or branding that closely resemble established Islamic councils.
An organisation dealing with matters as serious as Islamic marriage and divorce should not operate behind anonymity.
You should be able to establish who you are dealing with, where they operate and how they can be held accountable.
For reference, the Islamic Sharia Council (ISC) can be contacted through its official details:
Official email: info@islamic-sharia.org
Address: 34 Francis Road, Leyton, London, E10 6PW
Always verify contact details independently through the organisation's official website before sharing personal information or making payments.
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We received a complaint from a woman who applied for khula through an organisation identifying itself as the Islamic Fatwa Council.
She reported being told that her marriage would be dissolved within four weeks of her husband being contacted, despite having understood that the process would involve a longer period of correspondence and opportunities for response.
She was asked to pay £350 upfront and was reportedly told that a further £350 would be payable if she failed to answer a telephone call from the imam.
Although she subsequently received a dissolution certificate, further concerns arose when the imam referred to her husband by an incorrect name and alleged that he had previously been disrespectful towards the council, despite her husband reportedly having had no contact with him.
This complaint raises concerns about procedural fairness, transparency, record-keeping and the handling of fees.
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We have received reports concerning organisations claiming to operate as Islamic Sharia councils in Glasgow.
One complaint described an organisation with no identifiable office or public address, conducting all communication between husband and wife through a WhatsApp group.
The couple, who reportedly had four children, were allegedly issued a divorce within just three days, without meaningful mediation or an adequate opportunity for the husband to present his position.
Religious divorce matters should never be treated as informal administrative transactions.
They require appropriate consideration, responsible case handling and due regard for everyone involved, particularly where children and family circumstances are concerned.
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WARNING: Be vigilant about organisations impersonating established Islamic councils.
There have been warnings about individuals and organisations allegedly using:
Similar organisational names and email addresses.
Unauthorised logos and letterheads.
Falsified or misleading Islamic divorce certificates.
The appearance of established councils to create a false impression of legitimacy.
Do not assume that an organisation is genuine simply because its name, logo or paperwork looks familiar.
Always verify that you are communicating with the genuine organisation through independently confirmed contact details.
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Before approaching any organisation for khula or Islamic divorce, we strongly advise you to take the following precautions:
Verify its identity: Check its official address, contact details, leadership and organisational background.
Understand the process: Ask for a clear explanation of the procedure, including how both parties will be contacted and given an opportunity to respond.
Request a full fee breakdown: Establish all costs upfront and question unexplained or conditional additional charges.
Check its accountability: Establish who is responsible for handling your case and whether there is a formal complaints procedure.
Verify your certificate: Ensure names, dates and other personal details are accurate, and independently verify the issuing organisation.
Do not rush: Be cautious of promises of immediate dissolution without a clear explanation of the process.
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We have received several reports of an organisation in Birmingham fraudulently impersonating the Islamic Sharia Council (ISC) and issuing certificates using our organisation's name and identity without our authorisation.
Certificates have reportedly circulated displaying the following contact details:
Telephone: +44 7951 597792
Approved by: Mufti Usman Raza
This organisation is not affiliated with, authorised by or operating as a branch of the Islamic Sharia Council (ISC). Any certificates issued under our name by this organisation are not official ISC certificates.
We urge the public to remain vigilant and verify all certificates and correspondence directly with the ISC using our official contact details.
Your marriage and family matters deserve to be handled with care, dignity and fairness.
A genuine religious service should be transparent, accountable and conducted with due consideration for everyone involved.
If you have concerns about an organisation or the validity of a certificate, seek independent advice before relying on it or making further payments.
