School Children Banned From Watching Rare Celestial Event 'for Cultural And Religious Reasons'

[mushroom25]

http://www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/home-news/school-children-banned-from-watching-the-solar-eclipse-for-cultural-and-religious-reasons-10122964.html

can ANYONE explain this satisfactorily?

[sandyRoe]

Selene and Helios were brother and sister in ancient myth. Perhaps it was thought unsuitable to see them in such close proximity?

[Mamyalynne]

Whenever one answers a question from a child it is important to make your answer clear.

This Headmaster clearly missed that part of his education - elaborate please Sir!

[rockyracoon]

I'd love to know what 'religious and cultural' reasons are too. It's probably just a lazy arsed school hiding behind religion/health & safety/culture, (take your pick) so they don't have to bother.

[EDDIE51]

This was in Southall which has the largest Indian community in the UK, could that have anything to do with it?

[mosesg]

The only thing I can find that might be related to this is Prophet Mohammeds son died the day of an eclipse and some Muslims relate an eclipse with death and sadness. But as previously mentioned someone said it was a large Indian community and as India is predominantly Hindu and not Muslim I don't know if this would apply.

[mushroom25]

i don't believe there's anything in sikhism of hinduism would preclude watching an eclipse.....

unless, of course, you know different.....

[FrogNog]

This is why I despise religion in all its forms.

[mushroom25]

if that's true, mosesg, why not say so, instead of invoking the school's "confidentiality" process?

[youngmafbog]

Perhaps the Headmaster needs a Geography lesson?

[New Judge]

I quite like Mr Belman's remarks when told of his child's school's refusal to let them watch the eclipse:

“It's just going back to the dark ages really.”

[mosesg]

I know people would be more understanding if they explained the reason behind it. It would also stop Muslim bashing, by being vague makes people automatically blame the Muslims.

[Mamyalynne]

Divebuddy - 'Jeez' (never typed that word before, why on earth couldn't an educated man like a headteacher have explained that then?

[Mamyalynne]

Yes , and his lack of clear explanation has made it a bigger issue than it ever needed to be, sad really.

[-Talbot-]

can ANYONE explain this satisfactorily?


I think the answer to that is a massive NO. Ridiculous!

[naomi24]

Muslims are required to offer special prayers during an eclipse. Perhaps with such a diverse assortment of ethnicities in the school the headmaster thought it too difficult to accommodate that and so decided that none of the children should watch. A matter of logistics. Off the top of my head that's the only reason I can think of.

[EDDIE51]

I used to visit Southall on a regular basis, it is at least 85% Hindu very few Muslims. Most of the shops take Rupees as well as £, really is 'Little India' very helpful friendly people there I found.

[mosesg]

Eddie51 I used to sit next to and Indian at work although he was Christian he used to tell me all about all the other different religious and cultures in India, I was fascinated by this and lived listening to his stories. It made my working day more enjoyable.

[naomi24]

Although I think Hindus are still in the majority there, I think the balance is more even between them and Muslims now, Eddie.