School forces girls to wear head scarves

[eddie00001]

I agree with Russ. If the school was to have the Crescent incorporated into their school logo, that is fine and not an issue. Forcing the wearing of a head scarf is.

[Russ]

Originally Posted by eddie00001

If the school was to have the Crescent incorporated into their school logo, that is fine and not an issue.

I'd certainly support that idea.

Originally Posted by danielf

Ok then, but if the headscarf is not a symbol of the Muslim faith, then why is it problematic in this case? Because it is optional? So is wearing a cross around your neck, or on your breast. I would think that it is problematic, precisely because it is preceived by some as a symbol of the Muslim faith. Now, presumably, people disagree with pupils being forced to wear religious symbols, in which case it could be argued that the same would apply to logos with a cross? (Mind you, I'd prefer the absence of any religious reference)

Unfortunately, it is not optional
OP
"Female students at a new Islamic school will be forced to wear head scarves regardless of their religious beliefs, it emerged today.

Pupils at the Madani High School in Leicester will have to cover their heads as part of the new £17.8million voluntary-aided school's strict uniform policy."

Originally Posted by danielf

Ok then, but if the headscarf is not a symbol of the Muslim faith, then why is it problematic in this case? Because it is optional?

No, it is problematic because it indicates a specific moral stance.

[danielf]

Originally Posted by foreverwar

Unfortunately, it is not optional
OP
"Female students at a new Islamic school will be forced to wear head scarves regardless of their religious beliefs, it emerged today.

Pupils at the Madani High School in Leicester will have to cover their heads as part of the new £17.8million voluntary-aided school's strict uniform policy."

Sorry, I meant optional in general, not optional at this school.

[eddie00001]

I think another way to look at this is that forcing the children to wear a headscarf, whether or not they are muslim, would be the same as all children in a CoE/Catholic school to have to wear a neckless with the Cross on it. To me, both are unacceptable and force the child to be identified with a particular faith. Incorporated into their uniform just links them to their school.

[Jules]

Good point Eddie

[Russ]

Originally Posted by eddie00001

I think another way to look at this is that forcing the children to wear a headscarf, whether or not they are muslim, would be the same as all children in a CoE/Catholic school to have to wear a neckless with the Cross on it. To me, both are unacceptable and force the child to be identified with a particular faith. Incorporated into their uniform just links them to their school.

In some circumstances I disagree - for example if a faith school is exclusive and doesn't take children from any other religion than its own then I don't see a problem with all pupils wearing whatever items or symbols the school deem appropriate.

[Julian]

If it is not a religious decision as is claimed, then why aren't the boys going to be wearing headscarves too?

[danielf]

Here's a thought. Let them all (boys + girls) wear hoodies, with the logo on the hood. Job done

(I'm joking btw)

[eddie00001]

Originally Posted by Russ D

In some circumstances I disagree - for example if a faith school is exclusive and doesn't take children from any other religion than its own then I don't see a problem with all pupils wearing whatever items or symbols the school deem appropriate.

I think that would depend on whether it was a privately funded or state funded school. If it is privately funded, then fine, if its a state school then they shouldn't as they could be taking children from various backgrounds, even if the predominate faith of the school is Christian, Muslim etc

---------- Post added at 16:01 ---------- Previous post was at 16:00 ----------

Originally Posted by Julian

If it is not a religious decision as is claimed, then why aren't the boys going to be wearing headscarves too?

That's a good point, so surely then its discrimination just as it was for schools to make girls wear skirts and boys trousers a few years ago

[Gareth]

Originally Posted by eddie00001

I think though that we should go the way of France and state schools should be secular - no clothing of a religious nature allowed, no religious services etc - this should even be extended to government bodies ie civil service, police etc

Darn it, Eddie said what I had wanted to say. Laïcité, i.e. the French approach, is such a good way of doing it.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/La%C3%AFcit%C3%A9

If it wasn't for the naff salary I was getting in France compared to what I get here in Old Blighty, I'd be seriously considering emigrating there again.

---------- Post added at 16:13 ---------- Previous post was at 16:09 ----------

Originally Posted by danielf

Here's a thought. Let them all (boys + girls) wear hoodies, with the logo on the hood. Job done

(I'm joking btw)

Heh, that reminds me of this apt cartoon

[hatedbythemail]

Originally Posted by eddie00001

I think another way to look at this is that forcing the children to wear a headscarf, whether or not they are muslim, would be the same as all children in a CoE/Catholic school to have to wear a neckless with the Cross on it. To me, both are unacceptable and force the child to be identified with a particular faith. Incorporated into their uniform just links them to their school.

but ok for muslim children to have to wear a uniform with the cross on?

[Russ]

Originally Posted by hatedbythemail

but ok for muslim children to have to wear a uniform with the cross on?

Yes - if that is part of the school's logo!

[hatedbythemail]

Originally Posted by Russ D

In some circumstances I disagree - for example if a faith school is exclusive and doesn't take children from any other religion than its own then I don't see a problem with all pupils wearing whatever items or symbols the school deem appropriate.

we arent doing exclusive faith schools any more. the government wants faith schools to hold 25% of places for pupils who dont practice the faith. quite why they dont just do away with faith schools i dont know (except the cash comes in handy for these new academies)