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

The UK Department for Education is assessing information on four Muslim schools run by the Al-Khair Foundation after the Charity Commission opened a statutory inquiry into the charity over alleged Hamas ties. This follows the arrest and extradition to the US of an Al-Khair employee charged with conspiring to provide material support to Hamas. UK Lawyers for Israel sent a report to the DfE detailing links and raising safeguarding concerns.

The UK Department for Education (DfE) is assessing information regarding four Muslim independent schools run by the Al-Khair Foundation, following the Charity Commission's statutory inquiry into the charity over alleged Hamas ties. The inquiry escalated after a complaint alleging the charity and its partners had connections to Hamas and had funded the group. This follows the arrest of Mohammad Yousef Hasna, an Al-Khair employee, who was extradited to the US and charged with conspiring to provide material support to Hamas. UK Lawyers for Israel (UKFLI) sent a report to the DfE's Counter-Extremism Division on 10 July 2026, detailing links and raising concerns about safeguarding, extremism, and compliance with the Prevent duty. The four schools are Al-Khair Preparatory School in Croydon, Al-Khair Preparatory School in Oldbury, Birmingham, and Al-Khair Secondary Schools for Boys and Girls in Croydon, with over 550 children attending. Annual fees are £5468 for Croydon schools and £3600 for Birmingham. UKLFI's investigation found at least two employees identified as Hamas operatives and another with significant links. The DfE said it is continuing to work with other departments to assess the information and determine next steps.