Parents Sue School After Girl, Nine, Is Banned From Wearing Hijab

[naomi24]

Right or wrong? Whilst the school’s website states that it will “respect the religious beliefs and practice of all staff, pupils and parents”, the covering of a child’s head is not a religious requirement, so I think the school is within its rights to uphold its decision. In fact I think France has the right idea in banning all religious symbols in schools. Additionally, the implication in the parents’ statement that “it would be a sin for their daughter’s head to be uncovered while in the presence of male teachers”, I find distasteful in the extreme. This is a nine year old child, and the only people who appear to be sexualising her are the parents.

http://www.standard.co.uk/news/london/parents-sue-school-after-girl-nine-is-banned-from-wearing-hijab-8434976.html

(Incidentally, the picture used in the article seems to be a bit of an overkill – but that’s the press for you).

[ummmm]

My kids school has strict uniform rules. Both parents and child have to sign a contract when they first start school. It covers uniform, homework and behaviour. Basically we're signing 'don't stick to the rules and you will be punished'

Surely her parents knew the rules before she started?

[murraymints]

I agree..

[boxtops]

I agree with you re the overkill, that's not hijab, that's a burka - hardly the same thing!

I don't understand this either. My experience/understanding is that girls normally start wearing hijab at puberty (although I guess that can happen at 9 these days). One argument put forward before was that scarves can be a health & safety risk (catch fire in chemistry lessons etc.) or a risk in the playground (pathetic) - but those risks can be managed.

Where do you draw the line though? - would you stop Sikh boys wearing their little bobble on top of their head, prior to their donning the full turban? IMO if the religious garment (or whatever) is not causing any problem, why can't they were it? I am divided on this one.

[boxtops]

^ wear it.

And yes, I agree with ummmm re uniform rules - if they are laid down then yes, the pupils should stick to them.

[WaldoMcFroog]

I rather suspect that the practice of children wearing hijabs is not because of concerns that they will be sexualised at that age per se but in order to inculcate the practice from a young age so that once they reach sexual maturity, they are habituated to doing so. One might be tempted to infer from this that there might be a concern that if they were wait until the girls were older, they would refuse to do so. It is rather disturbing that the article reads as though the parents think puberty is determined by age rather than physical development, but this may be down to bad reporting.

The school is clearly of a religious character - viewing their admissions policy, it appears that many places are reserved for children of Greek Orthodox parents (and in decreasing preference Catholic, other Christian and finally other faiths (always good to see the children of non-religious parents being discriminated against by state run schools, btw)). One has to ask whether there are similar prohibitions against the wearing of Christian artefacts (I would imagine jewellery is banned, so probably not much in evidence) or whether a Sikh child would be barred from wearing a turban?

Having read the school's uniform policy on its website (http://www.st-cyprians.croydon.sch.uk/page14.html) there is nothing that states a hijab is banned, and it's Race Equality and Cultural Diversity policy explicitly mentions:

"The school is opposed to all forms of racism and xenophobia, including those that are directed towards religious groups and communities, for example Islamophobia and against travellers, refuges and asylum seekers" -

https://docs.google.com/viewer?url=http://www.connectedup.com/stcyprians/policies/RACEEQUALITY.pdf

While I agree that the wearing of the Hijab is not mandated, it may be that there is iniquity in singling out this one child (or one faith), and if so, there's a case to answer.

[netibiza]

This is because anyone can sue everyone these days. If the judge has any sense he'll throw the case out of court, which is what happened here on my small island!

[naomi24]

The head teacher said, "Her parents actively chose us and, before she arrived, we held a meeting which included details of the uniform plan.”, so it would appear they accepted the rules at the time, but now want them changed to suit their requirements.

[bazwillrun]

why did they want her to go to a Greek Orthodox School in the first place, yet another example of these people wanting things their own way and crying when they dont get it.

[FredPuli43]

France's rule is absolute and has had curious consequences. One school was visited by a monk, who gave occasional religious instruction. The teaching of comparative religion is not banned; the French are keen on such studies as philosophy , and every child who does the equivalent of our A levels has to pass an exam in philosophy, regardless of their main subjects; but the monk was required to change into ordinary clothes before entering to teach.

I too wonder whether the school bans the wearing of crosses and crucifixes, or koppels, come to that.Bit difficult to argue against this outward symbol of religion if a Jewish one or a Christian one is permitted.

[vascop]

Who suffers the most in all of this? Answer: Probably the girl. It's just plain stupid.

[ludwig]

Personally I like France's approach. A strict ban so everyone knows where they stand.

[DaisyNonna]

Apparently uniform requirements were discussed with parents before enrolment.

[humbersloop]

its not just an islamic practice, by any stretch

http://www.catholicplanet.com/women/headcovering.htm

and I agree that the French have it right on banning religious symbols in school

[DaisyNonna]

Waldo, that sounds like brainwashing to me. Not to be encouraged.

[douglas9401]

Their school, their rules. I'm sure an appropriate alternative could be found locally.
10/10 for effort but please move along dears, there are people trying to learn stuff in the building.

[DTCwordfan]

And then the Jewish have the snood for their women.....

http://www.shaeqkhan.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/03/westwood-snood.jpg

[humbersloop]

^yep, them women (especially the cunning young ones, pretending to be "girls") wandering around in their shameless, brazen hussy hair...

..no wonder the world's in the state it is

[askyourgran]

The school has gone as far as it should imo, respecting religious beliefs and practice etc. The girl's parents should not have enrolled her if they are not willing to follow the school guidelines. There seems to be no problem with their son attending the same school, presumably he wears normal school uniform, I suspect they thought that the girl would be accepted because the son was hijab and all. I'm disgusted that the parents find it necessary to take the school to Court because of an unnecessary religious frippery. I hope the school wins. Those of a religious calling are always expecting special dispensations for their religion. No others demand so much. As the OP says the French have the right idea. No nonsense with them.

[boxtops]

I agree with humber btw, we have a Bruderhof community near here, all the girls wear little headscarves all the time.

[wildwood]

The school has discussed the uniform before the child was enrolled. It sounds a bit like a 'Prude goes to nude beach to be offended' situation.

Just because a hijab is not excluded in the rules doesn't mean that it is acceptable, where will it end?