ISESCO DENOUNCES IMPOSITION OF PORK MEALS ON MUSLIM PUPILS IN FRANCE

Rabat, 2 Jumadil Akhir 1436/22 Maret 2015 (MINA) – The Islamic Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (ISESCO) has denounced the decision made by the Mayor of Chalon-sur-Saône, a commune in eastern France, to ban pork-free alternatives in the school canteens.

The mayor on Tuesday sent a letter to parents explaining that, from September, school canteens will no longer offer an alternative when pork is on the menu, IINA quoted by Mi’raj islamic News Agency (MINA) as reporting.

Gilles Platret, of the right wing UMP party, explained to parents in Chalon-sur-Saône that the decision was in line with a “return to the principles of secularism”, as the majority of those who refuse pork do so for religious reasons.

School canteens are also a growing battleground. For 31 years in Chalon-sur-Saône, a pork-free choice has been on offer in the school canteen.

Director General of ISESCO Dr Abdulaziz Othman Altwaijri said that forcing Muslim pupils to eat meals containing pork is an arbitrary injustice, and runs counter to the principles of the French Republic, the Universal Declaration of Human Rights (UDHR), and the Declaration of the Rights of the Child, adopted by the UN General Assembly.

Also, he said consuming pork is contrary to the religious beliefs of Muslim pupils, as pork is forbidden in Islam.

Dr Altwaijri called on the French government to cancel this resolution, and to work to protect the religious and cultural rights of the French Muslim citizens. He also called on UNESCO Director-General Irina Bokova to condemn this decision as it contradicts the Charter of UNESCO and its Universal Declaration on Cultural Diversity.(T/R05/P3)

Mi’raj islamic News Agency (MINA)

http://www.english.rfi.fr/france/20150317-french-mayors-ban-pork-free-option-sparks-school-meal-row