Sultan Al-Qalam ::

Parent outrage at children told to dress like Muslims for Mosque trip

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-1277744/Parents-outrage-children-told-dress-Muslim-mosque-trip--branded-truant.html

Another divisive attempt by some elements of the media to exploit a completely insignificant story and attempt to stir up Islamophobia.

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/newstopics/religion/7714124/Roman-Catholic-schoolgirl-labelled-truant-for-refusing-to-wear-headscarf-on-mosque-trip.html

Amy Owen, 14, and several of her friends at Ellesmere Port Catholic High School in Cheshire refused to go on the visit after being told that they had to conform to a Muslim dress code involving covering their heads and wearing long skirts or leggings.

“If the trip had been without the leggings and the headscarf, that would have been fine but I wasn't having my daughter dressed in the Muslim way."

It is claimed that up to 10 other Year Nine girls had also refused to go on the trip for the same reason.

Among them was Charlie Sheen, 14. Her mother, Kirsty Ashworth, said: “I didn’t see the educational benefit of it.”

 

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The girl was not ordered to "dress like a Muslim" in some unreasonable or extreme way as is being suggested.  The requirement to dress modestly can be applicable to visits to Muslim Mosques, Sikh Gurdawaras and even some Catholic Churches themselves.  

This Roman Catholic school is simply trying to promote tolerance, respect and understanding by arranging such visits.  What is so wrong about encouraging our youth to respect the traditions of other cultures & communities in order to foster greater understanding and cohesion between them? 

Please seize any appropriate opportunities to comment wherever this issue is being taken out of context and exaggerated.  Please also send short letters to this effect to the editors of the Mail and Telegraph.