I made there. Her name was Charline.
This remains one of my most vivid childhood memories. So, when I came across news of a High Court ruling in favour of a prayer ban at Michaela Community School in Greater London, I was immediately intrigued and wanted to learn more about it.A Muslim student took her state school to court because they banned all prayers and worship. She argued that this ban violated her right to practice her religion.
However, I recognise that my views on this matter are greatly influenced by my experience going to school in France when the 2004 law prohibiting religious signs in schools was introduced. In the name of secularism, the school insisted they couldn’t attend while wearing them. Samira’s father objected, seeing it as unfair and possibly racist., Lionel Jospin , insisted on the need to maintain secularism in schools while also ensuring inclusivity: he stated that schools must instruct parents not to send their children to class with visible religious signs, yet schools should still welcome all students, even if parents insist on their children wearing such signs.
Public schools then provided religious and moral instruction, but a law in 1882 made primary schools secular, replacing religious teachings with moral and civic instruction.The government sought compromise, while the Vatican softened its stance over the years. Efforts to make society more secular started in public school but in 1905, a law was passed to separate churches and the state.
My views have evolved and will continue to do so as society changes. For me, it is absolutely vital to make sure this debate isn’t a cover for Islamophobia and racism, but that doesn’t mean we shouldn’t recognise when religion is exploited to bully, intimidate, and harm others.Just like freedom of expression, the right to religious expression isn’t absolute – it’s nuanced.