UAE cuts funds for citizens to study in UK over refusal to ban Muslim Brotherhood

The United Arab Emirates has restricted state funding for its citizens to study at British universities due to tensions over the UK's refusal to ban the Muslim Brotherhood. Abu Dhabi has excluded British universities from its list of institutions eligible for state scholarships, leading to a 55 percent drop in student visas granted to UAE citizens. This move indicates a significant deterioration in diplomatic relations, with Emirati officials reportedly concerned about potential radicalization on UK campuses. The UAE has actively lobbied for the ban, even funding a trip for UK politician Nigel Farage to discuss their shared opposition to the group. The UK's Labour government has stated it is keeping the issue of proscribing the Brotherhood under 'close review'.