Full Breakdown
Cleric’s Controversial Remarks Lead to Cancellation of UK Children’s Camp
8/10/2026, 12:04:40 AM
Core Event: Planned Speaking Role and Subsequent Cancellation
Iraqi-American cleric Sayed Moustafa al-Qazwini was booked as the headline speaker for CampUK, a six-day residential children’s and family program slated for August 2026 at Condover Hall, a Grade I listed country house in Shropshire. After the venue operator JCA received a request for review, it announced that the camp would no longer take place, citing safeguarding responsibilities and operational risk considerations.
Background: Al-Qazwini’s Views and Camp Policies
Al-Qazwini, who previously attended CampUK in 2022 and 2024 and took part in its spring retreat the prior year, sparked controversy in February 2023 when he told a podcast that a wife “cannot” refuse sexual relations with her husband unless she is ill, menstruating, or suffering physically or psychologically. He framed marital intimacy as a husband’s “natural right.” The cleric also linked Hamas to American independence leaders, suggesting that figures such as George Washington and Abraham Lincoln could be viewed as terrorists.
CampUK’s program, according to its promotional material, required mandatory hijab for women and girls in public and mixed areas, enforced strict gender segregation, banned music, and scheduled compulsory prayers for all campers.
Official Responses: Venue Review, CampUK Statement, and Charity Probe
JCA confirmed that its internal safeguarding review led to the decision to cancel the event. A CampUK spokesperson emphasized that the organization conducts stringent due-diligence on speakers and does not endorse every public statement made by them, describing the camp as a volunteer-led British Shia Muslim project that celebrates a “British Muslim identity” and rejects antisemitism, racism, sectarian hatred, and extremism.
The Dar Al Hekma Trust (DAT), a registered charity under investigation by the Charity Commission for alleged links to supporters of the Iranian regime, denied any formal relationship with CampUK. DAT trustee Dr Ali al-Faraj clarified that his participation was in a personal capacity.
Criticism: Political and Public Concerns
Lord Walney, a former government adviser on political violence, called for the camp’s shutdown, arguing that it was designed to import an austere and regressive interpretation of Islam into England, undermining national values of equality and tolerance. He criticized reliance on a holiday centre’s safeguarding review to halt the program, suggesting that stronger oversight was needed.
Impact and Outlook: Safeguarding and Community Reactions
The cancellation highlights heightened scrutiny of faith-based youth events in the UK, especially those perceived to impose restrictive gender norms. While CampUK maintains its commitment to providing a safe, inclusive environment for a diverse guest base, the episode underscores ongoing tensions between religious freedom, child protection policies, and broader societal values.
