Skip to content
Search

Latest Stories

Muslim school student in London loses court challenge over prayer ban

The school reportedly introduced the prayer ban to prevent a “culture shift” that was leading to “segregation between religious groups and intimidation within the group of Muslim pupils.”

Muslim school student in London loses court challenge over prayer ban

A Muslim student's legal challenge against a ban on prayer rituals at a leading London school was dismissed by a court on Tuesday. The case, centering on religious freedoms within schools, attracted nationwide interest.

The student, whose identity remains confidential, had filed a lawsuit against Michaela Community School in northwest London, arguing that the ban was discriminatory and adversely impacted her ability to practice her faith due to its ritualistic requirements.


She contended that the school’s policy of prohibiting prayer on campus violated her right to religious freedom and contributed to making religious minorities feel excluded from society. "The kind of discrimination which makes religious minorities feel alienated from society," she had argued.

The school, which is state-funded but independently managed and known for its strict discipline and strong academic performance, maintained that the policy, established last year, was necessary. The BBC reported that concerns arose after numerous students began praying in the schoolyard, using their blazers as mats.

The school reportedly introduced the ban to prevent a "culture shift" that was leading to "segregation between religious groups and intimidation within the group of Muslim pupils."

In his written ruling, Justice Thomas Linden rejected the student’s arguments, stating that by choosing to attend the school, she had accepted its rules, including those that restrict how she could manifest her faith. He found that the ban on prayer rituals was "proportionate" and that its aims and effectiveness in meeting them "outweigh" any "adverse effects" on the rights of Muslim pupils.

Katharine Birbalsingh, headteacher at Michaela Community School, responded to the verdict, saying, "A school should be free to do what is right for the pupils it serves." She further wrote on X (formerly Twitter), "The court's decision is therefore a victory for all schools. Schools should not be forced by one child and her mother to change their approach simply because they have decided they don't like something at the school."

Education Secretary Gillian Keegan also welcomed the ruling, saying, "Headteachers are best placed to make decisions in their school."

"Michaela is an outstanding school and I hope this judgment gives all school leaders the confidence to make the right decisions for their pupils. The government has always been clear that heads are best placed to take decisions on what is permitted in their school on these matters, to balance the rights of all with the ethos of the school community – including in relation to whether and how to accommodate prayer. This judgment confirms this," she said in a statement.

(AFP)

More For You

black-smoke-getty

Black smoke is seen from the chimney of the Sistine Chapel as Catholic cardinals gather for a second day to elect a new pope on May 8, 2025 in Vatican City. (Photo: Getty Images)

Cardinals to vote again after second black smoke signals no pope yet

CARDINALS will cast more votes on Thursday afternoon to choose the next pope, after a second round of black smoke rose from the Sistine Chapel, signalling that no candidate has yet secured the required majority.

The 133 cardinals began the conclave on Wednesday afternoon in the 15th-century chapel to elect a successor to Pope Francis. So far, two rounds of voting have ended without agreement. Black smoke appeared again at lunchtime on Thursday, showing no one had received the two-thirds majority needed.

Keep ReadingShow less
king-charles-ve-day-reuters

King Charles lays a wreath at the grave of the Unknown Warrior during a service of thanksgiving at Westminster Abbey in London on the 80th anniversary of VE Day. (Photo: Reuters)

Reuters

King Charles leads VE Day service marking 80 years since WWII ended

KING CHARLES joined veterans and members of the royal family at Westminster Abbey on Thursday to mark 80 years since the end of World War II in Europe. The service was the main event in the UK's four-day commemorations of Victory in Europe (VE) Day, which marked Nazi Germany’s surrender on May 8, 1945.

Charles and his son Prince William laid wreaths at the Grave of the Unknown Warrior. The King’s message read: "We will never forget", signed "Charles R". William's wreath message read: "For those who made the ultimate sacrifice during the Second World War. We will remember them", signed "William" and "Catherine".

Keep ReadingShow less
NHS worker Darth Vader

Darth Vader is a legendary villain of the 'Star Wars' series, and being aligned with his personality is insulting

Getty

NHS worker compared to Darth Vader awarded £29,000 in tribunal case

An NHS worker has been awarded nearly £29,000 in compensation after a colleague compared her to Darth Vader, the villain from Star Wars, during a personality test exercise in the workplace.

Lorna Rooke, who worked as a training and practice supervisor at NHS Blood and Transplant, was the subject of a Star Wars-themed Myers-Briggs personality assessment in which she was assigned the character of Darth Vader. The test was completed on her behalf by another colleague while she was out of the room.

Keep ReadingShow less
Sunak-Getty

Sunak had earlier condemned the attack in Pahalgam which killed 26 people. (Photo: Getty Images)

Getty Images

Sunak says India justified in striking terror infrastructure

FORMER prime minister Rishi Sunak said India was justified in striking terrorist infrastructure following the Pahalgam terror attack and India’s Operation Sindoor in Pakistan. His statement came hours after India launched strikes on nine locations in Pakistan and Pakistan-administered Kashmir.

“No nation should have to accept terrorist attacks being launched against it from a land controlled by another country. India is justified in striking terrorist infrastructure. There can be no impunity for terrorists,” Sunak posted on X, formerly Twitter.

Keep ReadingShow less
india pakistan conflict  British parliament appeals

A family looks at the remains of their destroyed house following cross-border shelling between Pakistani and Indian forces in Salamabad uri village at the Line of Control (LoC).

BASIT ZARGAR/Middle east images/AFP via Getty Images

India-Pakistan conflict: British parliament appeals for de-escalation

THE rising tensions between India and Pakistan in the wake of the Pahalgam terror attack and Operation Sindoor targeting terror camps in Pakistani Kashmir were debated at length in the British Parliament. Members across parties appealed for UK efforts to aid de-escalation in the region.

India launched Operation Sindoor early Wednesday (7), hitting nine terror targets in Pakistan-occupied Kashmir and Pakistan's Punjab province in retaliation for the April 22 terror attack terror attack that killed 26 people in Jammu and Kashmir's Pahalgam.

Keep ReadingShow less