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Pupil took authorized motion towards London faculty, saying coverage was discriminatory and ‘uniquely’ affected her religion.
A Muslim pupil in the UK has misplaced a court docket problem towards a prime London faculty’s ban on prayer rituals in a case about freedom of faith in colleges that has captured nationwide consideration.
The coed, who can’t be named, took authorized motion towards Michaela Group Faculty in northwest London, saying the coverage was discriminatory and “uniquely” affected her religion as a consequence 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 sort of discrimination which makes spiritual 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 skill to realize them “outweighs” any “adversarial results” on the rights of Muslim pupils on the faculty.
The coed and her mom stated by their attorneys that they had been upset with the ruling.
“Despite the fact that I misplaced, I nonetheless really feel that I did the appropriate factor in in search of to problem the ban,” the woman stated. “I attempted my greatest 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 document and strict guidelines – had countered that the coverage imposed final yr was justified.
The Excessive Court docket in London was advised 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 as a consequence of considerations a few “tradition shift” in the direction of “segregation between spiritual teams and intimidation throughout the group of Muslim pupils”, the court docket reportedly heard.
Responding to the choice, Katharine Birbalsingh, head instructor of Michaela Group Faculty, stated “a faculty ought to be free to do what is correct for the pupils it serves”.
“The court docket’s resolution is subsequently a victory for all colleges,” she added on X.
“Faculties shouldn’t be compelled by one baby 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 academics are greatest positioned to make choices of their faculty.”
“Michaela is an excellent faculty, and I hope this judgement offers all faculty leaders the boldness to make the appropriate choices for his or her pupils.”
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