A Muslim student’s attempt to uphold her right to perform salah (prayer) at a London school has been set back by a High Court decision. 

The court sided with the school, which maintains a policy against prayer rituals on school grounds.

The student, who remains unidentified, argued that the ban infringed upon her ability to practice a fundamental pillar of Islam. She proposed a reasonable solution: designated prayer time during lunch breaks on days required by her faith.

The school, Michaela Community School, however, defended the ban as a way to promote a unified and inclusive environment. 

They cited past incidents of threats linked to religious practices, expressing concern that allowing prayer rituals could disrupt this harmony.

While the judge ultimately upheld the prayer ban, he did criticise the school’s separate decision to temporarily exclude the student.

In an 83-page written judgment dismissing the student’s case, Mr Justice Linden said: “The claimant at the very least impliedly accepted, when she enrolled at the school, that she would be subject to restrictions on her ability to manifest her religion.”

This case reignites the debate about balancing religious freedom with the needs of a diverse school community. 

The student’s desire for a modest accommodation to fulfill her religious obligations highlights the ongoing struggle for many Muslims in British institutions.

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