An Islamic educational institution has been given a 28-day ultimatum to demonstrate that its principal meets the criteria of being a ‘fit and proper’ individual, or it could face closure by the authorities.

This warning comes nearly a year after both state and federal bodies commenced an investigation into contentious social media activity associated with Sheikh Abdulghani Albaf, who leads New Madinah College located in Young, a town in regional New South Wales.

Among the social media posts under scrutiny is one where Albaf stated, “Anti-Zionism is not Anti-Semitism.” For context, Zionism encompasses the support for a Jewish state, whereas antisemitism involves prejudice against Jewish people.

In a post dated December 15, 2023, Albaf expressed his view that Israel is “worse than Nazis.” He elaborated, asserting, “Absolutely worse than NAZIS. THE ZIONIST TERRORIST REGIME is more devilish, evil and atrocious than any other terrorist in history, actually I’d say a close call between them and the CRUSADERS… White supremacy at its best.. PURE EVIL…”

Earlier, on November 5, Albaf had circulated an image bearing the slogan “From the river to the sea, Palestine will be free.”

Just two weeks earlier, Albaf shared an image featuring the slogan ‘From the river to the sea, Palestine will be free’ on November 5. 

‘So apparently, this statement really upsets Zionists… Wish someone told me earlier.. May Allah destroy the Israeli Zionist regime sooner rather than later… ALLAHUMA AMEEN,’ he said.

A post on November 1 included a graphic of a Palestinian child growing up to become a fighter with a Hamas-style headband after being attacked by Israel with the caption: ‘I don’t know how some people find this so hard to grasp’. 

Sheikh Abdulghani Albaf is the principal at the regional NSW New Madinah College in Young

One of the posts shared shows a young Palestinian child growing up to be a Hamas fighter  

‘May Allah grant our brothers & sisters in Palestine victory over the Zionist terrorists. May Allah continue to place fear in the hearts of the enemies through the Soldiers of Allah,’ Albaf continued. 

Albaf called for Israel to no longer exist in a post on November 17, and called Israel ‘The Zionist Terrorist State of IsNotReal’ on December 11. 

‘Zionists have been systematically wiping out Palestine for past 100 years whilst crying out like they are the oppressed!!! Well, I’d like to state for the record… From the RIVER to the SEA… ISREAL Should NOT BE!! FREE PALESTINE,’ he wrote. 

According to its website, New Madinah College teaches the Quran, Arabic and Islamic values alongside core subjects, offering classes from kindergarten to Year 10.

The NSW Education Standards Authority (NESA) began monitoring the school shortly after the probe began and conducted an inspection mid-year. 

In a statement to the ABC on Wednesday – following the recent tragedy at Bondi Beach – a NESA spokesperson said: ‘We have issued a show cause notice to the Chair of New Madinah College’s Board about the conduct of the school’s principal. Our priority remains the safety and wellbeing of students.’

The school now has less than a month to prove Albaf meets the ‘fit and proper’ requirement or face deregistration. 

Unregistered schools are not legally permitted to operate, according to the NSW government’s education website.

Another post calls on Allah to aid in the destruction of the ‘Israeli zionist regime’

Albalf has also called for Israel to ‘not be’, invoking the ‘River to the Sea’ pro-Palestine chant

Australian Jewish Association CEO Robert Gregory criticised the delay.

‘We’re talking about almost an entire year, where children have been learning in this school where clearly there are issues,’ he said. 

‘We’ve seen recently where incitement can lead in society, and it can end in tragic results.’

Acting NSW Education Minister Courtney Houssos promised tougher rules.

‘I have directed NESA to review the ‘fit and proper person’ requirements for principals to ensure they are strengthened,’ she said. 

‘This will ensure that unacceptable conduct does not go unchecked,’ she said. 

‘We will not hesitate to take action against anti-Semitism in all its forms.’

Daily Mail has contacted Sheikh Abdulghani Albaf and New Madinah College for comment. 

An account with Albaf’s name also called Zionists ‘Absolutely worse than Nazis’ 

New Madinah College in Young, regional NSW, is pictured above

NSW Premier Chris Minns has vowed to crack down on inflammatory rhetoric after the Bondi Beach terror attack left 15 dead and dozens injured. 

His warning comes after shocking scenes at a Sydney rally where crowds chanted ‘globalise the intifada’, a phrase the government is now seeking to ban.

Minns blasted offensive imagery and slogans displayed at the protest. 

‘How can it be that a protest can take place in the state and there’s a swastika tattooed on the Star of David on a poster in the middle of the city?’ he said.

‘Or photos of the Ayatollah, the leader of Iran..? Shirts saying, ‘Death to the IDF.’ A sign that says ‘All Zionists are neo-Nazis.’

Meanwhile, the NSW Greens and several activist groups have announced plans to launch a constitutional challenge against the Minns government, arguing that proposed anti-protest laws are ‘unconstitutional’ and undemocratic.