A British summer camp organised by the Ahlulbayt Islamic Mission (AIM), a pro-Iranian Shia Muslim charity based in Cricklewood, London, has sparked significant controversy over allegations of radicalising children aged 9 to 14 with extremist anti-Israel rhetoric. Camp Wilayah, scheduled for August 2025 in Kings Langley, Hertfordshire, combines outdoor activities such as climbing and abseiling with lectures and discussions framed within Islamic values. The four-day camp, priced at £180, is marketed by AIM as “a unique opportunity to explore your true potential amidst the serenity of nature and an Islamic ambience.” However, concerns have been raised over the camp’s content, which reportedly includes activities where children draw Palestinian flags and watermelon symbols, the latter referencing Hamas’s October 7, 2023, attack on Israel—a deadly event that resulted in over 1,200 deaths and 251 hostages.

AIM enforces gender segregation at the camp, with girls required to wear hijabs and separated from boys except during prayers and lectures. These practices, alongside the political symbolism and rhetoric, have drawn sharp criticism from UK Lawyers for Israel (UKLFI), who accuse AIM of promoting the revolutionary Islamist ideology of Iran’s supreme leader, Ayatollah Khamenei. AIM’s social media reportedly glorifies Khamenei’s writings and justifies Hamas’s actions, placing blame on Israel for the conflict and employing anti-Semitic language, including a camp video titled “Know Thy Enemy,” which disparages Jews, labels Israel a “squatter state,” and dismisses moderate Muslims. UKLFI warns of an “unacceptable risk” to children given AIM’s ideological ties with the Iranian regime and their history of extremist propaganda.

Prominent figures have voiced their concerns with Lord Walney, a former UK extremism adviser, stating, “We cannot allow propaganda and influence from this theocratic dictatorship to be spread to children in the UK.” Shadow Justice Secretary Robert Jenrick, an outspoken defender of Israel, echoed this sentiment, insisting that “children should not be allowed to attend camps run by supporters of the Iranian regime.” Jenrick’s strong stance on security and extremism aligns with his recent public comments urging more decisive government action against Islamic terrorism and his criticism of media portrayals of Hamas.

The controversy comes amid heightened awareness of Iran’s threat to the UK, as emphasised in a recent UK parliamentary intelligence and security committee report. The report highlights Iran’s “persistent and unpredictable” threat, citing a spike in attacks since early 2022, including assassination attempts targeting dissidents and Jewish communities within Britain. Iran’s covert operations, conducted via third-party agents, are pointedly distinguished from direct attacks on the UK but nonetheless raise serious concerns about Iran’s influence domestically. The UK government has been urged to adopt a long-term strategy to counter such threats rather than rely solely on reactive measures. Iran denies all accusations, dismissing them as politically motivated.

The camp and AIM’s activities have also attracted the attention of local authorities, with Brent and Hertfordshire councils conducting investigations to assess any safeguarding or community safety concerns. Hertfordshire Council has stated, “We are working with partners to understand the situation and whether it raises any safeguarding issues.” Despite the backlash, AIM defends the camp vigorously, asserting they oppose “the 140-year Zionist campaign of genocide against the people of the Levant” and insisting their work is lawful and community-focused.

The Islamic Human Rights Commission (IHRC) has also condemned the criticism of the camp as a smear campaign, arguing that AIM’s activities provide a lawful and important space for Muslim children’s recreation, learning, and community building. They warn against conflating religious expression or pro-Palestinian sentiments with extremism and accuse UKLFI and media outlets of discrimination.

Nevertheless, scrutiny of AIM’s broader activities indicates their alignment with Islamist groups hostile to Western democracies. Their social media platforms have lionised figures from terror organisations including Hamas, Hezbollah, and Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC), which underscores the concerns voiced by UKLFI and others. This close ideological connection to Iran’s theocratic regime underscores how Camp Wilayah fits into a larger geopolitical and ideological context that alarm British policymakers and security experts.

As investigations continue, this dispute highlights the delicate balance between safeguarding children from radicalisation, preventing the spread of extremist ideologies, and respecting religious freedoms and cultural expression. With high-profile politicians, security committees, and local authorities engaged, the issue raises pressing questions about national security, community cohesion, and the boundaries of lawful advocacy and education within minority communities in the UK.

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Source: Noah Wire Services