A summer camp sponsored by an Islamic charity accused of backing Iran has been cancelled after concerns were raised it could expose children as young as nine to extreme views.
Local councillors said they had been ‘swamped’ by petitions to call off the upcoming four-day residential camp run by the Ahlulbayt Islamic Mission charity in Kings Langley, Hertfordshire.
Representatives of 11 Reform UK branches across the county had also written to the managers of the centre where Camp Wilayah was due to be held, demanding that it be cancelled.
The Daily Mail can now reveal that the residential, described as a ‘unique opportunity’ for children aged nine to 14 to build on their Islamic values, will not go ahead as planned over the August bank holiday.
Liberal Democrat and chair of Hertfordshire County Council Laurence Brass welcomed the decision, saying the final call had been made by the scout group that own the venue.
He added: ‘We have been swamped with petitions for it to be cancelled.
‘I was very upset that it was going ahead and I am very pleased with this result. I think it is the right decision.’
Mr Brass said that Hertfordshire County Council is due to announce the cancellation of the camp officially on Wednesday.
Picture advertising the camp shows children taking part in archery as one of the activities
According to the charity’s website, girls who attend must wear a hijab and loose clothing
Camp Wilayah, which has been run by Ahlulbayt Islamic Mission for a number of years, was due to be held between August 22 and August 25.
According to the charity’s website, any girls attending were required to wear a hijab and loose clothing.
They were also due to be separated from the boys for the duration of the camp, except for daily prayers, talks and a team photo.
Ahlulbayt Islamic Mission, which is based in Cricklewood, north-west London, has been accused of backing Iran’s theocratic regime.
In posts on social media, the charity has repeatedly praised Tehran’s leader Ayatollah Khamenei – and even described his books as a ‘great read’.
The organisation has also refused to condemn the terror group Hamas and said in the wake of the October 7 attacks that ‘Zionists brought this disaster upon themselves’.
Meanwhile in another post on Instagram from last year, young children can be seen drawing and colouring in Palestinian flags and watermelon symbols.
Legal lobby group UK Lawyers for Israel previously criticised the planned activities at the camp – saying they could incite hatred towards Jewish people.
It said in a comment to The Telegraph: ‘AIM’s deep ideological alignment with the Iranian regime and its record of extremist propaganda presents an unacceptable risk to children.
Pictured: An advert for this year’s camp on the charity’s website
‘We hope the local authority and other agencies will act decisively to protect vulnerable young people from exposure to harmful and radicalising content.’
In a post on their website on Tuesday, Ahlulbayt Islamic Mission confirmed that Camp Wilayah had been postponed until further notice.
The charity said this was in light of ‘serious threats levelled at the safety of children at the camp’.
The statement read: ‘Following discussions with Hertfordshire Scouts, and in light of serious threats levelled at the safety of children at the camp, we regret to announce that this year’s Camp Wilayah will not proceed at Phasels Wood over the bank holiday weekend.
‘We know this decision will cause some disappointment; however, our first priority is to protect the safety and security of our children, and we take this matter very seriously.
‘For foreign political lobby groups, media outlets and far right thugs to make unfounded allegations that heighten the risk and encourage harm to children in the UK is truly disgraceful.
It added: ‘For over a decade, Camp Wilayah has been a cherished space where our children could enjoy the outdoors, grow in their values, and form lifelong friendships.
‘Many of those who attended Camp Wilayah are now doctors, plumbers, teachers, engineers, and public servants, proud citizens who give back to Britain every single day.
‘No evidence of wrongdoing has ever been found at Camp Wilayah, yet our children are being punished simply for their faith.’
Shadow justice secretary Robert Jenrick also raised concerns that children should be allowed to attend camps run by ‘supporters of the Iranian regime’
‘To attack such a wholesome and positive tradition is shameful, especially when threats are made by the Reform Party to mobilise protests and disrupt children’s camps.
‘Not only is this despicable behaviour, but it is Islamophobia in plain sight, and it should alarm every member of society.’
UK Lawyers for Israel wrote to Brentwood Council in London and Hertfordshire County Council last month asking for Camp Wilayah to be banned.
The group warned 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.’
Shadow justice secretary Robert Jenrick also raised concerns that children should be allowed to attend camps run by ‘supporters of the Iranian regime’.
A spokesperson for Hertfordshire County Council previously 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.’
There is no evidence the charity poses a risk to children and in a statement on their website it says its goal is to ‘promote peace’ and ‘create a better world for everyone’.
It reads: ‘We at AIM are committed in our efforts to spread peace, tolerance and co-existence; and to promote social harmony as contained in our rich and abundant Islamic heritage.
‘AIM believes that the continual pursuit of its objectives will create a better world for everyone.’
AIM also described the camp as an ‘amazing place to enjoy the outdoors, make new friends, learn and build on Islamic values’.
