24 September 2015

School refuses to give Muslim pupils day off on religious holiday of Eid al-Adha

A school has refused to let its Muslim pupils take today off to celebrate Eid al-Adha, saying they should mark the religious holiday tomorrow instead.

Acklam’s Outwood Academy, in Middlesbrough, has said its Muslim pupils will not be granted an authorised absence, but can celebrate tomorrow when the school will be closed to all pupils as part of a professional development day for its teachers, the Teeside Gazette reports.

One outraged mother said she immediately contacted the school after receiving a letter explaining its stance on Monday, but said staff did not change their minds.

The mother of the schoolgirl, neither of whom wished to be named, told the newspaper: “Friday doesn’t mean anything. Eid is on Thursday. [The Independent] Read more