Full Breakdown
Investigation Launched into Malek Fahd Islamic School Following Controversial Video
2/24/2026, 5:01:41 AM
Core Event: Director's Controversial Social Media Post
The Malek Fahd Islamic School in Sydney, one of Australia’s largest Islamic educational institutions, is under investigation by the New South Wales (NSW) Education Standards Authority (NESA) after its director, Faraz Nomani, posted a video on social media featuring armed Hamas terrorists alongside an Arabic prayer for victory. The video, shared on February 15, prompted significant public outcry and led to Nomani's resignation from the school board.
Background & Context: Funding and Governance Issues
Malek Fahd Islamic School is predominantly funded by the federal government, receiving 60% of its funding, with an additional 18% from the state government. The school has faced scrutiny in the past, including funding cuts in 2016 due to governance issues. This latest incident has reignited concerns regarding the school's management and the appropriateness of its leadership.
Key Figures: Faraz Nomani and Hizb ut-Tahrir
Faraz Nomani is a prominent pro-Palestine activist with past associations with Hizb ut-Tahrir, an organization that has been labeled a hate group by the Australian government. Nomani's previous involvement with Hizb ut-Tahrir, including speaking at its events, has raised alarms among critics, particularly in light of the recent video. His lawyer, Omar Satar, asserts that Nomani has not been affiliated with Hizb ut-Tahrir for nine years and that the video was not intended to endorse Hamas.
Official Statements & Responses
NESA has stated that it takes reported misconduct seriously and will thoroughly investigate the matter to ensure the safety of students and staff. Opposition Education spokesman Julian Leeser emphasized the need for federal intervention, stating, “There should be no place for people supporting listed terror organisations in either the classrooms or on school boards.” In contrast, Nomani's lawyer defended the video as a generic prayer for oppressed people, denying any specific endorsement of Hamas.
Criticism & Opposition: Calls for Accountability
The federal opposition has called for the Education Minister, Jason Clare, to take action due to the school's significant federal funding. Critics argue that the presence of individuals with extremist affiliations in educational settings is unacceptable. The controversy has also drawn attention to the broader implications of allowing such ideologies to influence school governance.
Conflicting Reports & Gaps
While the NSW Education Standards Authority is investigating the incident, there are conflicting reports regarding Nomani's past affiliations and the nature of his social media posts. Nomani's lawyer claims that the prayer was not specific to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, while critics point to his previous statements supporting Hizb ut-Tahrir as evidence of his ideological alignment.
What's Next: Ongoing Investigations
The investigation by NESA is ongoing, and the federal government is reviewing the situation. The outcome may influence future funding and governance policies for Malek Fahd Islamic School and similar institutions across Australia. The case highlights the tension between educational governance and political ideologies within the context of federal funding.
Verbatim Quotes
- “NESA takes such reported misconduct very seriously and will investigate these matters thoroughly to ensure students and other staff are not at risk.” — NSW Education Standards Authority Spokesperson
- “There should be no place for politics in the classroom or in the management of schools and what’s more, there should be no place for people to support listed terrorist organisations or hate-filled groups in either the classrooms or on school boards. It’s just unacceptable.” — Julian Leeser, Opposition Education Spokesman
- “The audio is a famous generic Arabic prayer that expresses support for oppressed people all around the world against any form of oppression and reflects a general principle of resisting injustice.” — Omar Satar, Lawyer for Faraz Nomani
