• A Muslim female student had challenged her school’s prayer ban, citing discrimination and a breach of religious freedom.
• Publicised legal proceedings unveil a backdrop of allegations of Islamophobia
The unnamed female student, citing legal constraints, asserted in the Royal Court of Justice yesterday that the school policy is discriminatory, infringing on her freedom of religion. She expressed how the rule has “fundamentally changed” her perception of “being a Muslim in this country” and likened the ban to someone saying, “they don’t feel like I properly belong here.” Representing the student, Sarah Hannett KC informed the court that approximately half of the secondary school’s 700 pupils are Muslim, emphasizing that the policy disproportionately affects Muslims by restricting prayer. She contended that Muslim students should be permitted a brief prayer break of around five minutes at lunchtime, excluding class hours. The “prayer ban” was introduced by the school’s leader, former government social mobility tsar Katharine Birbalsingh, in March of the previous year. The High Court was informed that Ms. Birbalsingh was apprehensive about the case’s media coverage potentially posing a serious risk of physical danger.
The school’s legal representatives contended that proceedings should be conducted privately, citing apprehensions about “past harassment,” during which the school had to confront “threats” and a “bomb hoax.”
The court was informed that the school faced “threats of violence,” verbal abuse, and “false” claims of Islamophobia. However, after media arguments, Mr. Justice Linden decreed that the proceedings should be public, allowing the identification of both the school and headteacher. Recognized for its stringent disciplinary approach, Michaela Community School is an academically distinguished institution, prominently featured in the media, with headteacher Katharine Birbalsingh making numerous appearances. The school is scheduled to present its defense in court today.
In a statement of response, Headteacher Birbalsingh asserted the following:
“In order for multiculturalism to happen, sacrifices need to be made!”
