New Madinah College principal Sheikh Abdulghani Albaf, who is fighting a NSW Supreme Court ruling that he is not fit to lead the school. Photo: New Madinah College.
The future of a Young Islamic school will not be decided on until at least June after its principal won NSW Supreme Court orders temporarily freezing an education authority’s ruling that he is unfit to lead the college.
Sheikh Abdulghani Albaf, who stood aside as principal of New Madinah College in January, personally filed proceedings in the NSW Supreme Court challenging a determination by the NSW Education Standards Authority (NESA) that he is not a, “fit and proper person” to lead the school.
On 23 March, Justice Weinstein made consent orders – agreed to by NESA – restraining the authority from acting on that ruling until the matter is finally heard.
The hearing is listed for one day, on 11 June.
The orders prevent NESA from acting on its determination against Sheikh Albaf or taking any steps against the college’s registration, pending the outcome of the June hearing.
The orders only hold for as long as Sheikh Albaf remains stood down from his role as principal.
NESA consented to the orders rather than opposing them.
Sheikh Abdulghani Albaf was appointed as principal of New Madinah College in 2024.
A year later, state and federal authorities launched an investigation into allegedly antisemitic comments made on a social media account that carried his name, including posts stating that, ‘Zionists should burn in the pits of hellfire’ and that the, ‘Zionist Terrorist State of Israel needs to be destroyed’.
Mr Albaf is alleged to have published the posts before he took up the role at the school.
The comments drew swift condemnation.
Hilltops mayor Brian Ingram described them as, “highly inappropriate” and, “divisive” for a person in a leadership position, while Jewish leaders said the principal was glorifying terrorism and extremism.
Federal Education Minister Jason Clare said there was “no place for the poison of antisemitism and this sort of hate, plain and simple” in schools, while Deputy Premier and NSW Education Minister Prue Car said she had asked NESA to examine the concerns raised.
Midway through 2025, NESA started its own investigation into the school’s policies and procedures following a series of social media posts linked to accounts bearing Sheikh Albaf’s name, were first reported publicly in early 2025.
NESA visited the Kindergarten to Year 10 campus as part of that investigation.
The school was given until 19 January 2026 to provide evidence that Sheikh Albaf met the fit and proper person standard and that it was adhering to governance policies and codes of conduct.
Sheikh Albaf stood aside from his role the same month.
NESA ruled on 17 February that he did not meet the standard.
In a letter dated 18 February, posted on the school’s website, NESA said the decision was based on an, “ongoing pattern of behaviour, exhibited in social media postings [and] a lack of remorse displayed by him”.
It described his behaviour as, “inconsistent with the role of a principal in a NSW school in setting an appropriate ethical and moral tone for school community” and said his “public commentary was of a concerning and hateful tone”.
NESA also cited the need to prioritise the safety, protection and wellbeing of students.
The letter warned that if Sheikh Albaf remained principal and, “a responsible person for the college”, it may constitute non-compliance.
“The committee may consider a recommendation to cancel the college’s registration,” it said.
The school was then given until 25 February to respond in writing outlining what actions it intended to take to ensure compliance.
Sheikh Albaf’s solicitor Stephen Blanks said the determination was being challenged on several grounds.
They include that NESA did not have the legal power to rule on whether a person was fit and proper separately from action against a school’s registration, and that NESA exercised its power for an improper purpose.
Mr Blanks also said NESA failed to take into account relevant circumstances including the quality of student learning at New Madinah College, failed to provide Sheikh Albaf with procedural fairness, and that its determination was irrational and illogical.
Mr Blanks declined to respond to NESA’s finding that his client showed a lack of remorse, saying it was not appropriate to comment while the matter was before the court.
Mr Blanks said his client “looks forward to returning to his role as principal and continuing the strong progress and high standards that the New Madinah College team has worked hard to establish”.
The college’s governing body, the Young Muslim Association, has previously stated that Sheikh Albaf had consistently met all necessary criteria for his position, including holding a valid Working with Children Check and a clear police record, having worked in schools for more than 15 years and as a valued member of the Young community for the past 10 years.
The board said the posts were made nearly a year before his employment and that the school “categorically rejects all forms of anti-Semitism, racism, discrimination, or any actions or views that undermine the values of mutual respect and inclusivity”.
The one-day Supreme Court hearing on 11 June will determine whether NESA’s determination stands.
NESA said it would not comment while the matter was before the courts. New Madinah College did not respond to requests for comment.
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