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Non-Muslim students at Islamic school forced to wear headscarves
Last updated at 23:37pm on 13.10.06
The hijab: Non-Muslim girls attending an Islamic school will have no choice but to wear headscarves
Female students at a new Islamic school will be made to wear head scarves regardless of their religion, it was revealed yesterday.
The Madani High School in Leicester will be required by law to accept 10 per cent of its 600 pupils from a non-Muslim background.
But girls who are not Muslim will still have to abide by a rule insisting all female pupils cover their heads as part of the uniform.
Assistant principal Zainab Elgaziari said he did not regard the demand as a problem - despite the ongoing row over Muslim women's veils.
He said: 'I can't see why if a student wears a head scarf it should be an issue. It's the same as a shirt or tie - it's just part of our uniform.
'We will welcome students of other faiths. Indeed, there will be a quota set down by the Government, and we will abide by these rules.
'When you go to any school you know what the uniform will be. Like any school, we will have one - and in our case it will include a head scarf.'
The secondary school, a voluntary-aided state academy, will replace the city's existing Islamic Academy when it opens next September.
Yesterday Leicester City Council said it did not believe the scarves would deter non-Muslim parents from sending children to the school.
Education spokesman Hussein Suleman, who is also a member of the school's temporary governing body, said: 'We have to find a balance.
'Governors have to take into account the fact that 10 per cent can be of a non-Muslim background and use discretion where appropriate.
'At the same time, parents have a right to send or not send their children to this school. I hope discretion will be used if there are any disagreements.'
The school, which is not expected to make boys cover their heads, was also backed by Suleman Nagdi, of the Federation of Muslim Organisations.
He said: 'All Islamic schools have certain criteria for school uniform. I can't see anything different about the criteria they are setting in this instance.'
Reader views (8)
Serious debate is needed here. I don't blame this Islamic school for it's dress code. Yet it well illustrates how a law that forces non-Muslims into a Muslim environment is in principle wrong. It's bound to lead to religious - if not racial - tensions. Likewise Muslims should not be forced into Christian schools. It's the whole underlying regime of enforced integration - the "multi-culturalism" concept that our government and it's agencies are trying so desperately to hard-sell us - that is causing the problem. I know how their thinking goes - along the lines of, "if only we could all be mixed together just how hunky-dory everything would be". Except - they might be wise to pause and consider - they are going against the laws of nature itself. Outside those authorities' own fevered imaginings of a happy multi-cultural society we have reality. That reality proves we do not mix - I'll not even go there! Nature - yes even human nature - is brutal, but always for good reason. Nature's laws are so much more valuable. Man's pathetic legislations are more suitable for robots than for human beings. Birds of a feather will always flock together. Anything that messes that up is a clear danger to the birds. Yet the authorities are using our children to play out their crazy multi-cultural fantasies - seemingly oblivious to the fact that they are playing with fire. This tragedy has yet to be played out. My fear is that tears will be the only finale.
- Cllr Chris Cooke, Tamworth, UK.
I agree with Sirius - it's hard for me to imagine the parents of a non-Muslim girl wanting to send her there in the first place. I don't disagree with their right to insist on a dress code though. The article says they're "required to accept" but I don't anticipate seeing officials forcing students in who don't wish to be there, especially girls. I wonder if that couldldn't start an ASBO claim on the part of a young woman forced to wear a headscarf?
- Ann, Des Moines, IA, USA
I think the school has the right to set its own standards of dress. To say that the school's officials need a medical examination is immature.
I think as a society we need to be more tolerant.
- Bev, Glasgow, Scotland, UK
This so insulting to all women! Islam gives itself a bad name. Have men wear headscarves!
- Sandr, Rockingham
I cannot imagine a non-Muslim wanting to attend this school.
- Sirius Ashley, Houston, TX
Are these school officials sane? Someone should give them a medical exam.
- John Schmeidler, Hays, Kansas, U.S.A.
Agree, Dhanraj assuming you have no objection to pupils not being allowed to aware head scarves if its not part of the uniform.
- Grant, Hornchurch
Well, yes, it is part of the uniform, but draw the line at a veil and burkahs.
- Dhanraj, Basildon, Essex
