Muslim Students Isolated in School for Growing Beards: UK

 Local Editor

In UK, two teenage Muslim pupils have been put into isolation and banned from lessons after refusing to shave off their beards for religious reasons
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This comes as the Mount Carmel Roman Catholic High School, in Accrington, Lancashire, claimed the two 14-year-olds are in breach of the dress code.

However, the boys' families said they are suffering discrimination because beards are a symbol of faith.
The school remains adamant they will not be allowed to go back until the matter is resolved.

A relative of one of the boys said: 'Because these boys don't shave their beards for religious reasons, they are being put in isolation for six-and-a-half hours every day."
"They are not being allowed to mix with anybody or speak to friends. It is pure discrimination," he added, and pointed out that "they chose that school because it is within their area and has good results. The school has to have an open policy and they have to take in people from all religions."

She said the youngsters were put in a room on their own and made to study without the rest of their classmates.

In parallel, she added that their parents sent the school a letter of complaint explaining they could not shave as their beards were symbols of their faith.
The letter has since been retracted to allow for talks between the families, teachers and the Lancashire Council of Mosques, due to take place Friday, the relative said.

Last week, the British Prime Minister indicated he would support guidelines to judges, teachers and immigration officers telling them when Muslim women can be asked to remove their veils.

Source: Daily Mail, Edited by website team