Education minister, mayor condemn principal of independent school over online rants
Minister for Education and Early Learning Prue Car has denounced the actions of the newly appointed principal of New Madinah College as “divisive”.
NSW
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The principal of a private independent school has been condemned by local and state politicians and Jewish leaders after making a series of public anti-Semitic comments, calling for “all Zionists to burn in the pits of hellfire.”
The Mayor of Hilltops region in rural NSW has denounced the actions of the newly appointed principal of New Madinah College as “divisive” and inflaming anti-Semitism after being alerted to his prolific anti-Israel posts on his public Facebook page.
Sheik Abdulghani Albaf, who has more than 2000 social media followers, was denounced by Mayor Brian Ingam who branded him a “highly inappropriate person” in a position of leadership.
“These comments are highly inappropriate for anyone to say let alone someone in a position of leadership and a leader of the community,” he said.
“They are divisive – this is not how our country works”.
The school, which operates an Islamic tradition in Young, – the unofficial Muslim capital of the outback, – teaches predominantly Muslim children aged 4-16 the Qur’an, the Arabic language and fundamental Islamic values as well as all core curriculum subjects.
“Every day the ugly truth of Zionists is being exposed,” said Sheik Albaf in one of his posts.
“All their extremism and terrorism is being exposed. Those in power that can stop this are standing back and applauding the Zionist regime.”
In another he states “May Allah stop the Zionist terrorism regime…May they burn in the lowest pits of hellfire for their oppression and aggression.”
He writes: “The Zionist terrorist state of Israel needs to go.”
The Australian Jewish Association CEO said the principal has the responsibility to act as a role model.
“Mr Albaf has made outrageous posts which glorify terrorism and extremism.
“Australia has a problem with radicalisation among Islamic youth. With Mr Albaf as principal, residents of Young will be concerned about the values being taught at New Madinah College. The NSW Education Standards Authority (NESA) should examine whether Mr Albaf is a fit and proper person for his role.“
NESA has not received complaints about the principal.
“Religious intolerance and anti-Semitism have no place in schools and cannot be tolerated from school leaders,” Deputy Premier and Minister for Education and Early Learning Prue Car said.
“Leaders of all schools in NSW have an important role to play in promoting tolerance and respect in our community. These comments do the absolute opposite.
“I have asked the NSW Education Standards Authority to review the issues raised and report back to me.”
Jewish Board of Deputies president David Ossip said: “This is entirely unacceptable. He is clearly unfit to be a school principal and NESA and the Minister need to swiftly investigate and take action to remedy this appalling state of affairs.”
Mr Albaf and the school were contacted for comment.
Originally published as Education minister, mayor condemn principal of independent school over online rants
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