School Uniform - Jilbab

[smudge]

Now that the Muslim school girl has won her case in the Appeal Court to wear a Jilbab to school - do you think this could be the beginning of the end for the school uniform?

Personally, I hope it won't be, as wearing a school uniform can prevent discrimination against less well off children.

What are your thoughts on this issue?

[THECORBYLOON]

The young girl in question wanted to wear the jilbab as part of her religion. Although the Head Teacher had (as I understand) discussed with local Muslims leaders how the rules on uniform could accomodate religious beliefs, Shabina Begum wanted to wear the jilbab as required under Islamic law. I cannot understand why folk have a problem with this. If a devout child wants to follow the laws of his or her religion and this requires the wearing of certain clothes, why should a school be allowed to prohibit it?  Religious beliefs won't see the end of uniforms, unless the God of Nike or Kappa become  recognised deities....   

[El D]

can anyone explain why as soon as the word religion is mentioned everyone bends over backwards to break rules and allow conduct which would not be permissible under other circumstances? What is religion? A collection of beliefs. Presumably if I was compelled through my conscience to follow a religion which required me to wear a catsuit, this would be allowed? The point is, the school had rules, these had been affirmed by local religious leaders as acceptable. She broke the rules and should have suffered the consequences. There is absolutely NO reason to allow the breaking of rules for a collection of beliefs. Break them if your conscience calls for it, but be prepared to accept the consequences - isn't that what religion is all about, following your conscience and faith above all else irrespective, not trying to force a school to abandon a very considered policy. It is fairly obvious she has become a pawn of more extremist mulisms. The whole episode is pathetic.

[rod]

If the census is right then a lot of children can go to school dressed as Jedi. School should be for education not religion I think this girl is being used as EI D has stated by extremist Muslims.  

http://www.statistics.gov.uk/census2001/profiles/rank/je di.asp

[smudge]

El D - My sentiments entirely & I couldn't have put it better myself.

[FP]

Just to say I don't agree with school uniforms.  Not really what you asked Smudge, but I just thought I would say it anyway.    I hope that one day they will be abolished and that as long as children are clean and tidy and suitably dressed all will be accepted.  This comes, I think from my complete dislike of anything to do with schools and their silly rules!!

[kempie]

FP - having a school uniform ensures pupils are suitably dressed (as suggested in your 'rules') without the need to judge if an outfit is suitable on a case by case basis.

[Zen]

School uniforms should be comulsory,along with the abolition of single faith schools,which ae not necessary in a multi cultural society as they only offer their pupils a bigoted view of other religions. Northern Ireland being a prime example.

[smudge]

I agree with you Kempie & Zen.

[Robinia]

Like FP there are some things that I dislike about schools but I'd say smudge that uniforms are one of the best things.  I loved wearing a uniform & was glad that my sons wore them too.  I agree with all that El D has put so well.

[Oneeyedvic]

El D - you beat me to it! Can't say it any better.

Teach me about your religion though oh master - wearing a catsuit sounds like fun!

[Pootle]

I'm a Satanist and its my religion, and therefore personal right (and apparent legal right), to be dressed head to foot in black with an inverted cross hung around my neck. Can I attend school like this...didn't think so. If I were a muslim...

[Oneeyedvic]

Just thinking mischieviously ...............

according to the last census, there are more people who put their religion down as Jedi than put there religion down as Jewish ....... very tempted to start the Jedi Religion (or possibly a religion that isn't trade marked) and introduce all sorts of funny beliefs .... think of the fun we can have ......... .......

[vinny200]

If you were a British family living in a muslim  country, you would abide and respect their culture!!Can you imagine if your daughter refused to wear the Jibab! would it go to court? I dont think so.Why cant her parents respect our culture!!This is not a  muslim country.They know they have the freedom to take this to court in this country!!They want to ask themselfs Why can we  do this here !!

[THECORBYLOON]

Those who gave "Jedi" as their religion were the victims of a hoax, namely that if enough folk gave that as their religion, the Government would have to recognise it as an official religion.

TomTom said. "what happens if a Muslim walks into the same place covered head to toe in black, with just their eyes showing.... nowt!! They could be strapped with expolsives for all anyone knows or be holding a gun?? How does that make sense?"

When was the last time you read of ANY crime in this country involving such a method?  Would  nuns not be dressed in a similar way? Would you assume they were loaded with explosives or carrying guns? I doubt it, so why associate a Muslim with criminal activities? 

[FP]

FP  I disagree that School Uniform is a leveller.  They are overpriced with selected stockists and only the richer parents can afford new ones for their kids.  The poorer parents struggle and buy secondhand and cheaper items and the kids do notice and the poorer children still get taunted.  I have spent a lot of time working in schools and children, especially older children, abuse school uniforms and make them look dreadful.

Teachers found that on mufti days when children were comfortable in their chosen clothes they behaved better and worked better as well.  I would hate to be told what to wear for work, why should children and teenagers be any different.

I  must admit that I loathed school mainly because I hated being herded together with loads of others.  I absolutely detested school uniform.  I went to a conventional girls grammar school and hated every minute of it.  School days were not the happiest days of my life.

I would rather see a girl wearing a jilbab than a school uniform 'tarted up'  with a skirt up to her bum, scruffy shirt worn outside the skirt with a tie knotted badly, etc.

I totally agree with THE CORBYLOON.    

[FP]

Whoops.  Seemingly, I addressed my remarks to myself!  Don't know what happened!!!  I know I am alone in my thoughts on this thread, so perhaps I thought if I talked to myself I would agree with myself.

[kempie]

vinny200 - {quote} Why cant her parents respect our culture!! {unquote}

Both of Shabina Begum's parents are dead and she appeared at court backed by an extensive legal team.  So I wonder whose cause this really was.

...and I'm sure Cherie Booth is happy with the verdict.