UK Dept Ed. reviewing Muslim schools run by Al-Khair Foundation following reports of Hamas ties

The UK's Department of Education (DfE) is scrutinizing four Muslim independent schools operated by the Al-Khair Foundation. This review comes after the Charity Commission launched a statutory inquiry into the foundation, prompted by allegations of connections to Hamas.

The Al-Khair Foundation, established to advance religion, promote education, and support social welfare, is under investigation following a complaint suggesting links to Hamas and the funding of the group. The Charity Commission has escalated its engagement to a statutory inquiry after gathering more information on these serious concerns.

Adding to the scrutiny, Mohammad Yousef Hasna, an Al-Khair Foundation employee, was arrested in the UK and subsequently extradited to the US. He faces charges of conspiring to provide material support to Hamas. This development prompted UK Lawyers for Israel (UKFLI) to submit a report to the DfE's Counter-Extremism Division, detailing alleged links between Al-Khair and Hamas and raising safeguarding and extremism concerns at the schools.

The four schools in question, Al-Khair Preparatory School in Croydon, Al-Khair Preparatory School in Oldbury, and Al-Khair Secondary Schools for Boys and Girls in Croydon, serve over 550 children. UKFLI has warned the DfE about potential safeguarding and Prevent-related risks stemming from the foundation's employment of individuals allegedly connected to proscribed terrorist organizations.