Fate of Malek Fahd Islamic School up in the air after judge reserves decision on funding

THE future of Australia’s largest Islamic school, Malek Fahd Islamic School at Greenacre, remains up in the air following a Federal Court reserving a decision at a hearing yesterday.

A Federal Court judge has reserved his decision regarding funding for Malek Fahd Islamic School in Greenacre.

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THE future of Australia’s largest Islamic school, Malek Fahd Islamic School at Greenacre, remains up in the air following a Federal Court hearing yesterday.

The school’s board, led by chairman Dr John Bennett, wants the Federal Government to resume $1.2 million in monthly payments it makes to the school, which has 2400 students spread across its campuses at Greenacre, Hoxton Park and Beaumont Hills.

Malek Fahd Islamic School board chairman Dr John Bennett.

Malek Fahd Islamic School has not received federal funding for the past four months. It sought an order from the Federal Court to suspend the Government’s decision to delay funding for the school.

Dr Bennett said the judge reserved his decision yesterday.

“We do not know when the decision will be handed down but our legal team is hopeful of a positive outcome,” he said in an update posted on the school’s website.

“The judge understands the importance of this case and the seriousness of the implications for the school.”

Malek Fahd Islamic School has not received federal funding for the past four months.

Dr Bennett said if the funding was restored, the board was committed to working with the federal Education Department to resolve any remaining concerns it had about the school’s compliance.

“We cannot provide any further information at this point and respectfully await the decision from today’s hearing,” he said.

“The board once again thanks the entire school community for its patience and understanding. This is a distressing time for all and although it is difficult we urge you to remain positive.”

Malek Fahd Islamic School has had the threat of closure hanging over it for more than a year after the Federal Government withheld $19 million of funding.

The money was withheld due to concerns the school’s former board, run by the Australian Federation of Islamic Schools, was not spending all of its funding on its students.

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Since then the school has cut its ties with AFIC and has installed a new board, led by Dr Bennett.

An appeal against the Administrative Appeals Tribunal decision to uphold the Government’s decision to withdraw the $19 million has yet to be determined.