UK Legal Group Raises Alarm Over UK Islamic Summer Camp Allegedly Promoting Extremism Among Children

Image: Jihad Watch

A prominent legal advocacy group, UK Lawyers for Israel (UKLFI), has issued a stark warning regarding a planned Islamic summer camp for children in the United Kingdom, raising concerns that the event could serve as a platform for radicalization and violate provisions under the UK’s Terrorism Act. The organization expressed these concerns on Sunday, emphasizing the potential threat such camps may pose if left unregulated.

At the center of the controversy is Camp Wilayah, a religious retreat scheduled to take place from August 22 to August 25 at the Phasels Wood Activity Centre. The camp is organized by the Ahlulbayt Islamic Mission (AIM), a Shi’ite Muslim group founded in the UK in 2003. AIM describes the event as an opportunity for children aged 8 to 13 to enjoy outdoor activities, form friendships, and enhance their understanding of Islamic teachings “in a fun and inspiring environment.” However, critics argue that the real intent may be far more serious and potentially dangerous.

According to AIM’s guidelines, girls attending the camp are required to wear the hijab, and activities are deliberately structured to keep boys and girls separated, thereby enforcing strict gender segregation. While the organizers portray these practices as consistent with Islamic values, UKLFI views them as indicative of a broader ideological agenda.

AIM has long been known for its open support of the Islamic Republic of Iran and its Supreme Leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei. The organization’s website actively promotes and sells books authored by Khamenei, including Tabyeen: The Neglected Obligation, The Compassionate Family, and Islamic Beliefs: Reclaiming the Narrative. These works, in the view of critics, are not simply religious texts but serve as tools for indoctrination that align with the Iranian regime’s radical ideological framework.

In addition, AIM distributes publications by former Iranian Supreme Leader Ruhollah Khomeini, including Islamic Government, a treatise outlining the concept of a theocratic regime. The group also offers literature that glorifies members of Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC), individuals widely considered jihadists by Western governments.

UKLFI’s concerns go beyond the literature. The organization accuses AIM of propagating “revolutionary Islamist ideology” and fostering an environment that glorifies martyrdom. Furthermore, it points to online content linked to AIM that includes antisemitic narratives, conspiracy theories, and expressions of support for groups such as Hamas — a designated terrorist organization by the UK government. Of particular concern is the reported use of Holocaust inversion — a rhetorical technique that portrays Israelis or Jews as Nazis — which UKLFI says fuels hate and undermines historical truth.

The legal group has called on UK authorities to scrutinize the camp and the organization behind it, warning that allowing such events to proceed without oversight could jeopardize public safety and violate British law. UKLFI is urging action to prevent vulnerable children from being exposed to extremist ideologies disguised as religious education.

As debates over freedom of religion and national security continue to intersect, this case underscores the ongoing challenges faced by Western democracies in balancing civil liberties with the need to combat extremism—especially when it involves impressionable young minds.

(This Article was originally published by Jihad Watch)