Archive · 10 Jan 2026
UAE Halts UK Scholarships Over Radicalisation Fears
The United Arab Emirates (UAE) has decided to stop giving scholarships to its citizens who want to study in the United Kingdom (UK).
This is because the UAE is worried about Islamic radicalisation happening on UK university campuses.
The UAE has also blacklisted several UK-based organisations linked to the Muslim Brotherhood, which is a group that has been banned in many Muslim-majority countries, including the UAE, Egypt, and Saudi Arabia.
The UK, however, has not banned the Muslim Brotherhood.
In the academic year 2023-24, 70 students in the UK were reported for possible radicalisation, which is almost double the number from the previous year.
The Muslim Brotherhood was founded in 1928 in Egypt and has a motto that includes jihad as their way.
The UAE's decision comes after the UK refused to ban the Muslim Brotherhood, which the UAE has long advocated for.
US Vice President JD Vance also commented on the situation, stating that some of the best Muslim allies in the Gulf think the Islamist indoctrination in certain parts of the West is too dangerous.
UAE cuts scholarships for its citizens studying in the UK due to concerns over Islamic radicalisation on campuses.
UK has not banned the Muslim Brotherhood, despite it being banned in several Muslim-majority countries.
70 UK university students were reported for possible radicalisation in 2023-24, nearly double the previous year's number.
UAE blacklisted 8 UK-based organisations with ties to the Muslim Brotherhood.
Muslim Brotherhood was founded in 1928 in Egypt and has a motto that includes jihad as their way.
- Who
- UAE, UK officials, Muslim Brotherhood, UK students
- What
- UAE cuts scholarships for UK universities due to radicalisation concerns
- When
- Recent decision, with historical context dating back to 2014
- Where
- United Kingdom and United Arab Emirates
- Why
- Concerns over Islamic radicalisation in UK universities and the UK's refusal to ban the Muslim Brotherhood
UAE and Allies
UK Government
Banning the Muslim Brotherhood
UAE and Allies
The UAE and its allies believe the Muslim Brotherhood poses a significant threat and should be banned in the UK to prevent radicalisation.
UK Government
The UK government has decided not to ban the Muslim Brotherhood, despite pressure from the UAE and other allies.
- Action
- UAE cuts scholarships for UK universities
- Reason
- Concerns over Islamic radicalisation in UK campuses
- Reported Students
- 70 students reported for radicalisation in 2023-24
- Muslim Brotherhood
- Banned in UAE, Egypt, Saudi Arabia, and others
- UK Stance
- UK has not banned the Muslim Brotherhood
- UAE Blacklisted Organisations
- 8 UK-based organisations linked to Muslim Brotherhood
- Muslim Brotherhood Founded
- 1928 in Egypt by Hassan al-Banna
- Muslim Brotherhood Motto
- Allah is our objective; the Prophet is our leader; the Quran is our law; jihad is our way; dying in the way of Allah is our highest hope.
Sources
UAE raises concern over growing Islamic radicalisation in UK universities, cuts scholarships amid rising Muslim Brotherhood influence in Britain
An Arab State Now Fears Islamist Radicalisation In Britain — UAE Cuts UK Scholarships
‘Our allies think indoctrination in certain parts of west is too dangerous’: Vance on UAE limiting funds to study in UK
