Islamic school principal Sheik Abdulghani Albaf stood down while authorities investigate alleged antisemitic social media posts
The principal of an Islamic school in NSW has been suspended amid an investigation into a series of anti-Semitic posts shared on social media.
The NSW Education Standards Authority (NESA) has given Sheikh Abdulghani Albaf, principal of New Madinah College in Young, until January 19 to demonstrate that he meets eligibility and eligibility requirements or his registration will be struck off.
Mr Albaf is alleged to have made a series of social media posts between 2023 and 2025, commenting that “all Zionists will burn in pits of hellfire”.
He also allegedly wrote: “May God destroy the Zionist terrorist regime”; “The Zionist terrorist state Israel must go” and “The ugly truth of the Zionists is revealed every day.”
NSW schools must meet school registration requirements to operate or face deregistration.
When compliance concerns are raised, the school must demonstrate to NESA that all issues have been resolved, or if the matter involves an individual, these issues may be removed for the school to address any issues.
An NESA spokesperson said the initial response from the school did not satisfactorily address compliance concerns.
“The principal will now stand aside until the investigation into his conduct is completed,” a spokesman said.
“NESA’s admissions committee will evaluate the school’s applications and make a decision on the principal’s fit and proper assessment in February.
“The safety and well-being of students is our top priority.”
The posts were criticized by community leaders, with the Hilltops mayor telling The Daily Telegraph last year that the comments were “highly inappropriate for someone to make, let alone someone in a leadership position and a leader of the community”.
Young Muslim President Mohammed Barghachoun wrote to parents at the school in January last year defending Mr Albaf.
He said the principal had consistently met the criteria for his position, including a valid Working with Children Check and a clean police record.
He said the posts were made about a year before he took office and did not reflect his professional conduct or values.
“He showed no signs of racism or hatred,” he said.
New Madinah College and Mr Albaf have been contacted for comment.
