Muslim student files petition in UK court against ban on prayer in school; Loses the legal bid. world News
New Delhi: A Muslim student has lost a legal battle against her UK school, which had banned prayer rituals on site. The Muslim student had challenged the decision of Michaela Community School citing religious freedom. According to reports, he alleged discrimination which specifically affected his faith due to its ritualistic nature.
They argued that the school’s ban on on-site prayer violated their right to religious freedom and contributed to the alienation of religious minorities. The Northwest London school is known for its academic excellence and strict rules. According to reports, the school justified a policy it had implemented last year that prohibited students from praying in the yard, using blazers as kneeling pads.
The school cited concerns about religious alienation among Muslim students and a potential ‘cultural shift’ towards bullying that led to the implementation of the new rules. In a written decision, Judge Thomas Linden rejected the student’s claims, saying that by enrolling at the school, she accepted restrictions on expressing her faith. He considered the prayer policy proportionate, saying that its objectives outweighed any adverse impact on the rights of Muslim students.
Principal Catherine Birbalsingh described the court’s decision as a victory for schools’ autonomy and emphasized that schools should not be forced to change their practices based on the preferences of a student and his parents. He said, “A school should be free to do what is right for its pupils. So the court’s decision is a victory for all schools. Schools should not be forced to change their approach just because a child and his mother Should go because he did it.” “He decided he didn’t like something about school.”
According to reports, Education Secretary Gillian Keegan supported the decision, confirming that school leaders are best suited to make decisions for their institutions, and praised Michaela as an outstanding school.