Schoolboys Get Dentention For Refusing To Kneel And Pray To Allah

Parents were stunned when two boys were handed a detention for not wanting to kneel down and “pray to Allah” in a Religious Education lesson.

The boys, both in year seven (11 and 12 year-olds) refused to take part in the practical demonstration of worshipping Allah; the lesson also included wearing Muslim headgear, using prayer mats and watching a short film about Islam.

Alsager School in Stoke-On-Trent

Parents of the children in the class at Alsager High School, Stoke-On-Trent, have said that forcing their children to take part in the religious practice is a breach of their human rights and they have complained to the school.

A furious mum, Karen Williams said: “I am absolutely furious my daughter was made to take part in it and I don’t find it acceptable. I haven’t got a problem with them teaching my child other religions and a small amount of information doesn’t do any harm. But not only did they have to pray, the teacher had gone into the class and made them watch a short film and then said ‘we are now going out to pray to Allah’. Then two boys got detention and all the other children missed their refreshment break because of the teacher. Not only was it forced upon them, my daughter was told off for not doing it right. They’d never done it before and they were supposed to do it in another language.”

Another angry parent, Sharon Luinen, made the comment: “This isn’t right, it’s taking things too far. I understand that they have to learn about other religions. I can live with that but it is taking it a step too far to be punished because they wouldn’t join in Muslim prayer. Making them pray to Allah, who isn’t who they worship, is wrong and what got me is that they were told they were being disrespectful. I don’t want this to look as if I have a problem with the school because I am generally very happy with it.”

A grandfather of one of the pupils was equally angry: “It’s absolutely disgusting, there’s no other way of putting it. My daughter and a lot of other mothers are furious about their children being made to kneel on the floor and pray to Islam. If they didn’t do it they were given detention … if Muslims were asked to go to church on Sunday and take Holy Communion there would be war.”

Deputy Headteacher, Keith Plant, said: “The particular member of staff you need to speak to isn’t around. I think that it is a shame that so many parents have got in touch with the Press before coming to me. I have spoken to the teacher and she has articulately given me her version of events, but that is all I can give you at the moment.”

Cheshire County Council released a statement on the matter:
“The headteacher David Black contacted this authority immediately complaints were received. Enquiries are being made into the circumstances as a matter of urgency and all parents will be informed accordingly. Educating children in the beliefs of different faith is part of the diversity curriculum on the basis that knowledge is essential to understanding. We accept that such teaching is to be conducted with some sense of sensitivity.”