Muslim Pupil’s Headscarf Ban at Catholic School Challenged

School tells Muslim pupil to take off veil or headscarf in class – representational pix.

 
Birmingham, 26 Rabiul Akhir 1438/@6 January 2017 (MINA) – A school has been accused of breaching anti-discrimination laws after claims a four-year-old Muslim pupil was told she could not wear a headscarf.

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St Clare’s Catholic Primary School in Birmingham has met with equality leaders at the city council to discuss a complaint from the pupil’s family, bbc.com reported.

The council is supporting the school to ensure its policies are appropriate.

But Muslim Women’s Network UK said the school was not at fault as young girls are not required to wear headscarves.

The Handsworth school states on its website that “hats or scarves are not allowed to be worn in school” alongside examples including a woman in a headscarf.

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Labour councillor Waseem Zaffar, cabinet member for transparency, openness and equality, met the school’s head teacher last week.

In a comment posted on Facebook at the weekend, claiming the school had contravened the Equality Act, the councillor wrote: “I’m insisting this matter is addressed asap with a change of policy.

“Senior education officers from Birmingham City Council will also discuss this matter with the concerned school early next week whilst the head and governors discuss their next action.” (T/RS05/RS01)

Mi’raj Islamic News Agency (MINA)

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