UK Students in Detention for Not Praying to Allah

[Blowfeld]

Part 3 of Sharia law could have UK role, says lord chief justice

Schoolboys punished with detention for refusing to kneel in class and pray to Allah

By Daily Mail Reporter
Last updated at 11:30 AM on 04th July 2008

Two schoolboys were given detention after refusing to kneel down and 'pray to Allah' during a religious education lesson.

Parents were outraged that the two boys from year seven (11 to 12-year-olds) were punished for not wanting to take part in the practical demonstration of how Allah is worshipped.

They said forcing their children to take part in the exercise at Alsager High School, near Stoke-on-Trent - which included wearing Muslim headgear - was a breach of their human rights.
Alsager School

Alsager School, near Stoke, has received furious complaints from parents after two Year 7 boys were punished for refusing to kneel to Allah during a religious studies class

One parent, Sharon Luinen, said: "This isn't right, it's taking things too far.

"I understand that they have to learn about other religions. I can live with that but it is taking it a step too far to be punished because they wouldn't join in Muslim prayer.

"Making them pray to Allah, who isn't who they worship, is wrong and what got me is that they were told they were being disrespectful.

"I don't want this to look as if I have a problem with the school because I am generally very happy with it."

Another parent Karen Williams said: "I am absolutely furious my daughter was made to take part in it and I don't find it acceptable.

"I haven't got a problem with them teaching my child other religions and a small amount of information doesn't do any harm.

"But not only did they have to pray, the teacher had gone into the class and made them watch a short film and then said 'we are now going out to pray to Allah'.

"Then two boys got detention and all the other children missed their refreshment break because of the teacher.

"Not only was it forced upon them, my daughter was told off for not doing it right.

"They'd never done it before and they were supposed to do it in another language."

"My child has been forced to pray to Allah in a school lesson." The grandfather of one of the pupils in the class said: "It's absolutely disgusting, there's no other way of putting it.

"My daughter and a lot of other mothers are furious about their children being made to kneel on the floor and pray to Islam. If they didn't do it they were given detention.

"I am not racist, I've been friendly with an Indian for 30 years. I've also been to a Muslim wedding where it was explained to me that alcohol would not be served and I respected that.

"But if Muslims were asked to go to church on Sunday and take Holy Communion there would be war."

Parents said that their children were made to bend down on their knees on prayer mats which the RE teacher had got out of her cupboard and they were also told to wear Islamic headgear during the lesson on Tuesday afternoon.

Deputy headmaster Keith Plant said: "It's difficult to know at the moment whether this was part of the curriculum or not. I am not an RE teacher, I am an English teacher.

"At the moment it is our enterprise week and many of our members of staff are away.

"The particular member of staff you need to speak to isn't around. I think that it is a shame that so many parents have got in touch with the Press before coming to me.

"I have spoken to the teacher and she has articulately given me her version of events, but that is all I can give you at the moment."

A statement from Cheshire County Council on behalf of the school read: "The headteacher David Black contacted this authority immediately complaints were received.

"Enquiries are being made into the circumstances as a matter of urgency and all parents will be informed accordingly.

"Educating children in the beliefs of different faith is part of the diversity curriculum on the basis that knowledge is essential to understanding.

"We accept that such teaching is to be conducted with some sense of sensitivity."

Find this story at http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article ... Allah.html

[Blowfeld]

Part 4

Teacher suspended for 'punishing children who did not pray to Allah'
By Daily Telegraph reporter
Last updated: 9:12 AM BST 08/07/2008
A teacher has been suspended amid claims she punished two children who refused to worship Allah during a Religious Education lesson.

Alison Phillips, head of RE at Cheshire's respected Alsager High School, allegedly disciplined the Year 7 duo claiming they were disrespectful for refusing to kneel down and pray.

After giving the two boys detention the school was believed to have received several complaints from parents about the long-standing teacher.

Today, a school spokesman said she was suspended over the allegations - but also for "ongoing inquiries centred around other practical issues".

Joan Feenan, director of Cheshire County Council's children's services, said: "This authority is naturally concerned about complaints we have received from parents.

"Together with the school, we will be thoroughly investigating those complaints, in a careful and considered manner, and informing parents of the conclusions reached.

"Educating children in Christian and other religious beliefs is part of the national curriculum in secular schools and I'm sure that the great majority of our parents welcome any efforts to further mutual understanding.

"Having said that, this authority also accepts without question that such teaching should be carried out with awareness, sensitivity and sound common sense.

"Alsager is a high performing school with very supportive parents.

"I am confident that this matter will be resolved equitably."

She also added that suspension was not a disciplinary measure.

One parent, Karen Williams, said after hearing the claims: "I am absolutely furious my daughter was made to take part in it and I don't find it acceptable.

"I haven't got a problem with them teaching my child other religions and a small amount of information doesn't do any harm.

"But not only did they have to pray, the teacher had gone into the class and made them watch a short film and then said 'We are now going out to pray to Allah'.

"And then two boys got detention and all the other children missed their refreshments break because of the teacher."

The incident was believed to have taken place during a practical demonstration of how the prophet is worshipped.

The teacher is liaising with NASUWT, her union, whose spokesman declined to comment.

Story from Telegraph News:
http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/uknews/ ... ah%27.html

[James]

The Daily Mail is a notorious right of centre rabble rouser.

[Dr. No]

The Daily Mail is a notorious right of centre rabble rouser.

I don't think right or left matter ehre. This did happen. Maybe they have their spin on it but it can't change the facts.
This is unthinkable. You do not force children to worship. The only way people can consider this is ok is because they have to consider their (the children's) religion to be of no consequence. If this had been the other way around with Muslim children forced to pray to Jesus there would be hell to pay.

People of all religions should feel insulted by this, especially the Muslims, it probably is considered an insult or a sin to pray to Allah and not be ingenious about it.

My view is its fine to teach children about religion but not to force them to practice it.

[Capt. Sir Dominic Flandry]

It seems rather harsh to punish the children. The teacher may have thought it was just a practical demonstration, but the children who refused may have been uncomfortable because of their social circumstances.

Maybe they were simply abusive when asked to take part, and that is why they were punished,

[Dr. No]

It seems rather harsh to punish the children. The teacher may have thought it was just a practical demonstration, but the children who refused may have been uncomfortable because of their social circumstances.

Maybe they were simply abusive when asked to take part, and that is why they were punished,

Could be. I personally think the kids were probably trouble makers. Ordinarily I side with the teachers, just ask my kids , but when it comes to religion I have to draw the line.
Forcing them to worship Allah shouldn't be tolerated, fine to teach them about it. But rather than making the kids "act it out" I would have asked a muslim to demonstrate how prayer is preformed or a cleric to speak to them about it.

If these kids were christian then it is wrong for the teacher to ask them to do this. As wrong as it'd be to force muslim children to celebrate passover or christmas. To me this feel like the cheapening of religion in the eyes of secular authorities.
In the name of diversity they must be made to understand muslims, why partly becasue people are afraid of muslims.
In the name of that same diversity Christianity is belittled and treated in the exact manner that they are trying to tell the kids not to treat Islam
Christianity is easy to pick on, i understand that, but if we want tolerance for all we must not treat other religions as inconsequential , including Christianity.
I'm fine with teaching about it, learning about it, watching it, but (when forced) practicing it to me is wrong.