Freedom of Religion?

Katharine Birbalsingh is the headteacher of Michaela Community School, known as ‘the strictest school in the country’. It has an ‘outstanding’ Ofsted rating and excellent academic outcomes.

Ms Birbalsingh is being sued by a female Musim pupil for banning ritual prayer during the school day. It seems that a group of Muslim pupils were using their blazers as a prayer mat to pray in the school playground during their lunch break.

Muslims are required to ritual prayer on a mat. Michaela School is defending its policy against a claim that it is discriminatory and breaches pupils’ freedom of religion. It’s a case about freedom of religion in schools.

However, the decision to ban prayer was taken in the context of ‘violence, intimidation and appalling racial harassment’ of teachers. The same pupil, it seems, intimidated children who didn’t fast during Ramadan and was suspended last year for reportedly threatening to stab another student.

Is the issue, then not about freedom of religion, but maintaining a safe, well-ordered school?

It seems to me that there are four possible responses to religious diversity:

1. One faith. Allow only one religion. Some would say this is a Christian country; we should promote Christian faith. Some extreme Muslims would want to all to convert their faith. This may result in intolerance, perhaps leading to force or violence
2. Remove faith. Do as Michaela School is seeking to do. Ban any expression of religion. Religion only causes trouble so erase it. We then just pretend that people do not belong to different religious groups.
3. Combine faith. We are all worshiping the same God. Bring faiths together. Blend them together in a grand multi-faith mixture. Again we can try to change what matters most to many. Their faith is their identity.
4. Pluralism. Pluralism recognises difference, It seeks to accommodate and understand different expressions of belief. It’s able to challenge beliefs and practices, but defends the right of others to hold and live out their beliefs. I believe that this is the only peaceful, safe way forward.