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Islamic Human Rights Commission
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20 March 2007

Press Release: IHRC Statement in Response to New Government Guidelines which give Head Teachers the Right to Ban Face Veil in Schools

In response to the news that the government has introduced new guidelines allowing head teachers to ban face veil in schools, IHRC Chair Massoud Shadjareh stated:

“IHRC is concerned that these guidelines will be counter productive. There was no consultation with the Muslim community before introducing these guidelines. Successive ministers dealing with education issues have failed to give proper guidance when requested by human rights campaigners about schools’ obligations regarding religious dress, including the head scarf, and other service delivery under human rights laws and norms.

“To now proceed to issue guidance against Muslim communities is simply shocking. Although these guidelines affect a small section of the Muslim community, they could force Muslims to withdraw their children from schools enforcing the ban and teach them at home or enroll them in Muslim-only schools.”

For more information please contact (+44) 20 8904 4222, or (44) 7958 522196 or email:info@ihrc.org

Islamic Human Rights Commission
PO Box 598
Wembley
HA9 7XH
United Kingdom

Telephone (+44) 20 8904 4222
Fax (+44) 20 8904 5183
Email: info@ihrc.org
Web: www.ihrc.org