The United Arab Emirates (UAE) has recently taken the dramatic step of limiting students from studying at UK universities, citing concerns that some campuses may be vulnerable to radicalisation by Islamist groups. This move comes amid growing frustration in Abu Dhabi over the UK’s decision not to officially ban the Muslim Brotherhood a group the UAE considers a terrorist organisation.
British researchers have raised alarms that the Muslim Brotherhood has sought to “place” supporters in schools, local councils, and charities to subtly promote their ideology. In response, the UAE has restricted federal scholarships for students wishing to study in the UK, sending shockwaves through educational communities.
US Vice President JD Vance commented on the situation, describing the UAE’s concerns as justified: “Some of our closest Muslim allies in the Gulf are worried that Islamist indoctrination in certain parts of the West is becoming too dangerous.” Similarly, UK political figure Nigel Farage criticised the government, claiming that “decent Muslim countries cannot believe how weak the UK is on extremism.”
Concerns in the UK focus on the potential infiltration of university campuses, where student groups might invite Islamist speakers whose lectures flirt with extremist ideologies. Last year alone, around 8,500 students from the UAE came to the UK to pursue higher education, highlighting the potential scale of influence.
Dr Alan Mendoza, Chief of the Henry Jackson Society, emphasised the risks in a submission to a Parliamentary inquiry on extremism. He warned that Islamist movements, including the Muslim Brotherhood, are attempting to influence public institutions from within. Mendoza referenced a report presented to French President Emmanuel Macron in May 2025, which described how the Brotherhood uses “entryism” to place supporters in schools, councils, and charities to quietly spread ideology and shape institutions.
The report noted that these networks often promote strict religious practices and challenge democratic norms. While the study focused on France, Mendoza stressed that similar strategies could pose a threat in the UK. He argued that extremism today is not limited to violence; political Islamism aims to subtly influence public life and weaken democratic values.
Mendoza concluded by urging UK authorities to remain vigilant. He stated that programmes like Prevent should actively investigate how groups linked to the Muslim Brotherhood might be building influence within public institutions and consider the implications for national cohesion.
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