UK (Parliament Politics Magazine) – A UK Islamic camp linked to Iran faces calls for a ban amid warnings it may expose children to extremist views and anti-Semitic messages.
As reported by The Telegraph, a summer camp backed by an Islamic group accused of ties to Iran may expose children to extremist content.
What is Camp Wilayah, and who is it for?
The Ahlulbayt Islamic Mission is running a youth camp for children aged 9 to 14, featuring activities like climbing, abseiling, and religious talks.
AIM’s Camp Wilayah, scheduled for Kings Langley next month, is promoted as a place to build friendships and Islamic values.
The camp is advertised as
“a unique opportunity to explore your true potential amidst the serenity of nature and an Islamic ambience!”
At the camp, girls are required to wear the hijab and are kept apart from male participants.
A video posted by AIM on Instagram shows children at the camp drawing Palestinian flags and watermelon symbols, suggesting the camp’s activities.
What did UKLFI say about Camp Wilayah activities?
The legal group UK Lawyers for Israel slammed the camp’s content, calling it
“symbolically connecting very young children with nationalist resistance and a way of embedding ideological allegiance at a formative age.”
The group warned that it
“is being hosted by a group that openly promotes the revolutionary Islamist ideology of Iran’s supreme leader, Ayatollah Khamenei.”
UKLFI has written to Brent Council, where AIM is based, and Hertfordshire Council, where Camp Wilayah is due to take place, warning councillors that
“there is compelling reason to believe that the event may be used as a platform to radicalise children, incite hatred or violence, and glorify terrorist ideology.”
According to the group, a major concern is “AIM’s use of social media to spread extremist and anti-Semitic content.”
A UKLFI spokesman said,
“AIM’s deep ideological alignment with the Iranian regime and its record of extremist propaganda presents an unacceptable risk to children. We hope the local authority and other agencies will act decisively to protect vulnerable young people from exposure to harmful and radicalising content.”
What did Lord Walney say about Camp Wilayah?
Lord Walney, former government extremism adviser, voiced concern over Camp Wilayah, stating,
“We cannot allow propaganda and influence from this theocratic dictatorship to be spread to children in the UK.”
He added,
“It is deeply alarming that schoolchildren are being taken to these camps. This raises further questions about the influence of Iran here in the UK.”
What did the Brent council say about Camp Wilayah?
Brent Council said it has begun an internal “analysis” of the camp and AIM, stating it is “making its relevant partners aware.”
A spokesperson for Hertfordshire county council said,
“We are aware of concerns around this planned activity camp, and we are working with partners to understand the situation and whether it raises any safeguarding issues.”
What did AIM say in its defence?
AIM did not respond to the latest request, but previously said,
“The Ahlulbayt Islamic Mission serves communities in Britain. Unlike the roughly 3,000 Zionist organisations in the UK, it neither takes orders from nor represents the interest of any foreign power.”
They added,
“We are proud of our record in opposing the 140-year Zionist campaign of genocide against the people of the Levant, which has included forced displacement, ethnic cleansing and indiscriminate aerial bombardment, among many other crimes.”
What kind of content has AIM shared online?
Video title: Know Thy Enemy
Content description:
- Jews described as “harshest”, “squatters”, “settlers”, “violent”
- Israel called a “squatter state” accused of murdering children
- Moderate Muslims tolerant of Israel called “filth”
Additional social media content:
- Posts glorify and encourage martyrdom
- Hamas’s 7 October 2023 attack justified as “resistance”
- Civilian casualties not acknowledged
- Gaza likened to Nazi concentration camps
- Israel accused of genocide and apartheid
What did Robert Jenrick say about children attending AIM camps?
Shadow Justice Secretary Robert Jenrick said children should not be sent to camps operated by groups linked to the Iranian regime.