An investigation by The Sunday Telegraph found that British schools operating in Qatar are using state-approved textbooks that omit the Holocaust, include problematic content about Jews and direct students to read Adolf Hitler’s “Mein Kampf.”
Despite promoting themselves as offering “the best of British education,” schools such as Sherborne School, King’s College Taunton and Royal Grammar School Guildford are required under Qatari law to teach subjects including Arabic, Islamic studies and Qatari history using government-approved materials.
According to the report, the 2025 editions of history textbooks make no mention of the Holocaust in chapters covering Nazi Germany and World War II. Instead, they encourage students to read “Mein Kampf” and refer only broadly to Hitler’s “racist ideas.”
One passage states that Hitler’s goals were to establish a national army, unite the German people and reclaim former colonies. Another notes that “Mein Kampf” became a mouthpiece of the government while emphasizing his racist ideology.
Textbooks used in Islamic studies also contain hostile content about Jews. One book for 13-year-old students describes Jews as “evil” for rejecting Islam in the 7th century. It states: “There is no one more evil, or misguided, than one who turns away from Islam.”
Another textbook for older students teaches opposition to peace efforts with Israel and rejects conceding “any part of Palestine,” described as “Islamic land.”
Under Qatari law, these textbooks must be provided to all students without exception, and school libraries are required to stock the latest editions.
The report also details political messaging beyond the classroom. In a letter sent to parents shortly after October 7, Sherborne Qatar said it was “proud” to support Palestine and encouraged students to attend classes wearing keffiyeh scarves. A banner displayed at the school read: “The martyrs of Al-Aqsa are in paradise.”
Testimony from a teacher who worked at one of the schools, and requested anonymity, described restrictions on mentioning Jews in class materials.
“We are not allowed to mention Jews. The genocide didn’t happen to them. It is like brainwashing,” she said. “Israel does not exist there. Saying it does could get you into serious trouble. Parents or teachers would call the police.”
She added that some students glorified Hitler and wrote praise for him in their work.
Jewish organizations sharply criticized the findings. The Association of Jewish Refugees called the use of such materials “morally indefensible” and “an insult” to the memory of Holocaust victims.
“These textbooks would never be allowed in the UK,” the Campaign Against Antisemitism said, calling on the schools to withdraw from Qatar.
The schools, which generate millions of pounds through their overseas branches, maintain that they operate within a British educational framework. Sherborne said its Qatar campus follows a UK-based curriculum designed to foster curiosity, confidence and a love of learning.
At the same time, Qatari regulations require schools to uphold national identity and religious values, shaping parts of the curriculum taught to all students.