UK Islamic summer camp ‘risks radicalising children’
From the Telegraph
A summer camp sponsored by an Islamic charity accused of backing Iran could expose children to extremist views, it has been claimed.
The camp, run by the Ahlulbayt Islamic Mission (AIM) charity, is aimed at children aged nine to 14, with activities including climbing and abseiling along with “lectures and discussions”.
AIM describes Camp Wilayah, which is set to take place in Kings Langley, Hertfordshire, next month, as an “amazing place to enjoy the outdoors, make new friends, learn and build on Islamic values”. It promotes the four-day camp as “a unique opportunity to explore your true potential amidst the serenity of nature and an Islamic ambience!”
Girls who attend are required to wear the hijab and are segregated from the boys, other than for daily prayers, talks and a team photo.
In an indication of the kinds of activities children at Camp Wilayah are likely to take part in, one AIM video posted on Instagram shows a group of young boys and girls drawing and colouring in Palestinian flags and watermelon symbols. The children, described as Mahdi’s Little Believers, can also be seen making kites – in an apparent reference to the paragliders used by Hamas on October 7 to attack southern Israel. (to be fair, kite flying is a genuine hobby in Afghanistan and Pakistan, or was until forbidden by the Taliban)
In social media posts AIM, based in Cricklewood, north-west London, repeatedly praises the leader of Iran’s theocratic regime, Ayatollah Khamenei, declaring that his books are “an excellent source of knowledge and a great read”, and refuses to condemn Hamas.
It also posted material shortly after the October 7 attacks stating that “the Zionists brought this disaster upon themselves”.
Legal lobby group UK Lawyers for Israel (UKLFI) … warned that it “is being hosted by a group that openly promotes the revolutionary Islamist ideology of Iran’s supreme leader, Ayatollah Khamenei”.
It has written to Brent council, where AIM is based, and Hertfordshire council, where Camp Wilayah is to be held, warning councillors: “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.”
The group goes on to claim that “of particular concern is AIM’s use of social media to disseminate extremist content that is anti-Semitic and conspiratorial”. One video, titled “Know Thy Enemy” features a speaker describing Jews as the “harshest”, “squatters”, “settlers” and “violent”, while accusing Israel, the so-called “squatter state”, of having a policy of murdering children. It also calls moderate Muslims who may be tolerant of Israel “filth”.
Lord Walney, the government’s former extremism adviser, has raised his concerns over plans to stage Camp Wilayah this summer, saying: “We cannot allow propaganda and influence from this theocratic dictatorship to be spread to children in the UK.”
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.”
Phasels Wood Activity centre where this is planned to take place is owned by the Scout Association and leased by them to Hertfordshire Scout County. They will hire to organisations such as the Girl Guides, Brownies, Schools and Youth clubs. It sounds like they have not done due diligence on this group (I hope it is an oversight and not ideological agreement on the part of the bookings manager)
If any readers would like to contact Phasels Wood or Hertfordshire Scout County to point out how undesireable this group is, and how incompatible with the traditional aims of scoutning, the addresses are
Phasels Wood Activity Centre, Rucklers Lane, Kings Langley, Herts, WD4 9NA
Telephone 0208 236 0040 e-mail [email protected]Or
County Office, Well End Activity Centre, Borehamwood, Herts, WD6 5PR 0208 236 0040 or the email message box at the very bottom right of their home page
I’m sure they would love to hear from you before this summer camp goes horribly wrong.