A former deputy principal of an Islamic school linked to one of Dublin’s largest mosques has been awarded €40,000 after the sudden closure of the school last year, reports Breaking News.
The Workplace Relations Commission (WRC) ruled that Noureldin Abdelgawwad, who served as deputy principal of the Nur-ul-Huda Qur’anic School at the Islamic Cultural Centre of Ireland (ICCI) in Clonskeagh, was constructively dismissed by the centre’s operator, Al Maktoum Foundation CLG, in breach of the Unfair Dismissals Act 1977, reports Breaking News.
The WRC stated that Abdelgawwad appeared to have become entangled in a power struggle within the ICCI, which resulted in him being sidelined “in pursuit of an unknown objective,” reports Breaking News.
The company did not attend the WRC hearing in April and was not legally represented in the proceedings.
Abdelgawwad had been employed at the ICCI since 2012 and was promoted to deputy principal in July 2022.
He told the WRC that he resigned in April 2025 due to what he described as serious breaches of trust, interference in his professional role, mistreatment and a complete breakdown in the working relationship, reports Breaking News.
He also said he had never been subjected to any disciplinary process, warnings or internal grievance procedure.
The complainant stated that his salary was withheld by the ICCI without justification in September and October 2024, which he was later told was due to school income being diverted elsewhere, reports Breaking News.
He also claimed the ICCI falsely asserted ownership of a school system he had developed independently outside working hours in January 2025.
Abdelgawwad said the ICCI repeatedly demanded access to student data, which he believed would breach GDPR regulations, reports Breaking News.
The WRC heard that most board members were based in the United Arab Emirates.
He further claimed that ICCI chief executive Ahmed Hasain communicated in an unprofessional manner and warned him of consequences, reports Breaking News.
He said Hasain accused him and the school principal of obstructing ICCI operations in March 2025.
The complainant also said he received repeated WhatsApp messages despite requesting that all communication be conducted via email, reports Breaking News.
He resigned on 9 April 2025, citing ongoing mistreatment and a hostile working environment.
He also alleged that the ICCI locked the school office on 12 April 2025 and deployed security at the gates the following day, while distributing leaflets to parents stating the school had been cancelled without consultation, reports Breaking News.
Abdelgawwad said this caused significant distress to pupils and families.
He further claimed access to school email accounts was revoked while the ICCI accessed confidential data relating to children, parental complaints and staff correspondence, reports Breaking News.
He also said misleading information was sent to gardaí stating he had no right to be on the premises.
Abdelgawwad, who earned an annual salary of €47,000, said more than 30 teachers resigned during the same period due to similar treatment, reports Breaking News.
WRC adjudication officer Penelope McGrath noted there had been a public breakdown at the ICCI following events linked to the death of its founder, reports Breaking News.
She said a new board had been established afterwards and that changes in the workplace began around September 2024, including delays in salary payments.
She also noted disputes over access to student and financial data requested by the ICCI’s chief executive.
McGrath said Abdelgawwad was justified in resigning due to a total breakdown in trust and that he had been sidelined by the board “in pursuit of an unknown objective,” reports Breaking News.
She said it was unreasonable to expect him to continue working under such conditions after 14 to 15 years of service.
Although no formal grievance had been filed, she said he had raised multiple concerns through email and other communications.
The WRC awarded him €40,000 for unfair dismissal and a further €1,000 for unpaid wages, reports Breaking News.
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