Who was right…The EDL’s Tommy Robinson who argued we had to combat Islamic extremism or Lord Hall whose organisation worked relentlessly to cover up and excuse that extremism and present it as a ‘normal’ British way of life whilst vilifying and demonising Robinson?
Nothing ‘normal’ about this attack on the British way of life…..
These are some of the Muslim practices that the ‘moderate’ and most representative Muslim organisation in Britain, the MCB, demanded in 2007 that schools adopt in what turned out to be its ‘blueprint’ for the Trojan Horse plot…it’s based around blackmail…adopt Muslim practice or Muslims will become alienated and, left unspoken, the threat is…they will become radicalised….music is the devil’s work….Manchester was chosen because of its cultural implications…young people out freely enjoying themselves, boys and girls together enjoying a music concert…it’s not just violent extremists who object…..Muslims should not give up or compromise any of their beilefs or values…it is for the British to do that….
Failure to recognise and affirm, or even worse the creation of situations involving conflicts of belief or conscience is likely to have an alienating effect where pupils may feel that they are not valued and may give rise to inappropriate assumptions that in order to progress in society they will have to compromise or give up aspects of who they are, and their religious beliefs and values.
Schools are asked to respect these views and principles, which are held sincerely on the grounds of conscience, and to honour parents’ wishes by not placing pupils in situations of religious and moral compromise.
Whilst Muslims have no wish to constrain the freedom of others, they would urge schools to organise and manage physical education so that pupils can choose other acceptable forms of activity, for example, athletics, games, gymnastics, outdoor and adventurous activities and swimming within the curriculum.“All forms of music that may include the use of obscene and blasphemous language, encourage or promote immoral behaviour, arouse lustful feelings, encourage the consumption of intoxicants and drugs or contain unethical and un-Islamic lyrics would be considered objectionable. For this reason some Muslim parents may express concerns in the way music is taught in school and the extent to which their children may participate in it. Some Muslims may hold a very conservative attitude towards music and may seek to avoid it altogether, not wishing their children to participate in school music lessons. In such cases the school can show great understanding by providing alternative musical learning opportunities.”
It is also important, in schools where there are no Muslims, for all pupils to learn about Islam.
It is not permissible for Muslims to actively participate in non-Islamic acts of worship.
Girls should be covered except for their hands and faces, a concept known as ‘hijab’.
The most suitable sportswear for boys and girls that respects the requirements of Islamic
modesty is a tracksuit and in addition for girls a headscarf tied in a safe and secure manner.Any decision by Muslim pupils to manifest their religion by growing a beard should be respected by their school.
School makes arrangements for their Muslim pupils who wish to perform daily prayers in school.
School allocates a regular place for the daily prayers that fall within school time.
School ensures washing facilities are available, preferably in close proximity to the prayer area.
School builds or adapts a washing facility in the toilet areas where pupils can conveniently make ablution which includes washing of the feet.
Schools can recognise and celebrate the Eid festivals by highlighting the importance of the
message of Eid through collective worship and assemblies. Schools may want to share sweets amongst all children to mark this event. In addition, schools may make the normal school meals a special Eid meal for all the childrenSome sports involve physical contact with other team players, for example basketball and football. Most Muslim parents would find it objectionable for boys and girls to play such sports in mixedgender groups. Schools can respond positively to this concern by making sure that contact sports are always in single-gender groups.
Given the choice between mixed or single-sex swimming, Muslim parents would always opt for a wholly single-sex environment for swimming.
Dance is one of the activity areas of the national curriculum for physical education. Muslims
consider that most dance activities, as practised in the curriculum, are not consistent with
the Islamic requirements for modesty as they may involve sexual connotations and messages
when performed within mixed-gender groups or if performed in front of mixed audiences.Sex and relationship education (SRE) is taught in single-sex groups, by a teacher of the same gender.
The use of sexually explicit videos, pictures and objects are avoided as aids for the teaching of SRE.
School takes account of Muslim sensitivities and sensibilities with respect to sexual morality and includes Islamic moral perspectives when teaching SRE to Muslim pupils.
Schools should consider giving Muslim pupils the opportunity to study Arabic and/or
other languages relevant to their family background.