Pupil took authorized motion in opposition to London faculty, saying coverage was discriminatory and ‘uniquely’ affected her religion.
A Muslim pupil in the UK has misplaced a court docket problem in opposition to a high London faculty’s ban on prayer rituals in a case about freedom of faith in colleges that has captured nationwide consideration.
The scholar, who can’t be named, took authorized motion in opposition to Michaela Neighborhood College in northwest London, saying the coverage was discriminatory and “uniquely” affected her religion resulting from its ritualised nature.
She argued the varsity’s prohibition of on-site prayer unlawfully breached her proper to non secular freedom and was “the sort of discrimination which makes non secular minorities really feel alienated from society”.
In a written ruling, Justice Thomas Linden on Tuesday dismissed the pupil’s arguments, ruling that by enrolling on the faculty she had successfully accepted being topic to restrictions on manifesting her religion.
He concluded that the prayer ritual coverage was “proportionate” and its goals and talent to realize them “outweighs” any “hostile results” on the rights of Muslim pupils on the faculty.
The scholar and her mom stated by their legal professionals that they have been upset with the ruling.
“Though I misplaced, I nonetheless really feel that I did the fitting factor in looking for to problem the ban,” the lady stated. “I attempted my finest and was true to myself and my faith.”
My assertion relating to the decision on our ban of prayer rituals at Michaela. pic.twitter.com/88UMC5UYXq
— Katharine Birbalsingh (@Miss_Snuffy) April 16, 2024
The varsity – state-funded however independently run and famend for its tutorial achievement document and strict guidelines – had countered that the coverage imposed final 12 months was justified.
The Excessive Courtroom in London was instructed the ban stemmed from a number of dozen college students starting to hope within the faculty’s yard, utilizing blazers to kneel on, the BBC reported.
It then imposed the brand new guidelines resulting from issues a few “tradition shift” in the direction of “segregation between non secular teams and intimidation inside the group of Muslim pupils”, the court docket reportedly heard.
Responding to the choice, Katharine Birbalsingh, head instructor of Michaela Neighborhood College, stated “a college must be free to do what is true for the pupils it serves”.
“The court docket’s choice is subsequently a victory for all colleges,” she added on X.
“Colleges shouldn’t be pressured by one little one and her mom to vary its method just because they’ve determined they don’t like one thing on the faculty.”
Training Secretary Gillian Keegan additionally welcomed the ruling, saying, “Head lecturers are finest positioned to make selections of their faculty.”
“Michaela is an excellent faculty, and I hope this judgement provides all faculty leaders the boldness to make the fitting selections for his or her pupils.”
