Pupil took authorized motion towards London college, saying coverage was discriminatory and ‘uniquely’ affected her religion.
A Muslim pupil in the UK has misplaced a court docket problem towards a high London college’s ban on prayer rituals in a case about freedom of faith in faculties that has captured nationwide consideration.
The scholar, who can’t be named, took authorized motion towards Michaela Neighborhood College in northwest London, saying the coverage was discriminatory and “uniquely” affected her religion because of its ritualised nature.
She argued the college’s prohibition of on-site prayer unlawfully breached her proper to non secular freedom and was “the type 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 college 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 skill to attain them “outweighs” any “hostile results” on the rights of Muslim pupils on the college.
The scholar and her mom stated by means of their attorneys that they had been upset with the ruling.
“Regardless that I misplaced, I nonetheless really feel that I did the best factor in searching 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 college – state-funded however independently run and famend for its educational achievement report and strict guidelines – had countered that the coverage imposed final yr was justified.
The Excessive Courtroom in London was instructed the ban stemmed from a number of dozen college students starting to wish within the college’s yard, utilizing blazers to kneel on, the BBC reported.
It then imposed the brand new guidelines because of considerations a couple of “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 trainer of Michaela Neighborhood College, stated “a faculty must be free to do what is correct for the pupils it serves”.
“The court docket’s resolution is subsequently a victory for all faculties,” she added on X.
“Colleges shouldn’t be pressured by one youngster and her mom to alter its method just because they’ve determined they don’t like one thing on the college.”
Training Secretary Gillian Keegan additionally welcomed the ruling, saying, “Head lecturers are finest positioned to make choices of their college.”
“Michaela is an excellent college, and I hope this judgement offers all college leaders the boldness to make the best choices for his or her pupils.”