This was published recently in a local UK newspaper - I would like to know from muslims on QL if you think the father is making up his own rules here. Surely gender seperation starts at puberty in some Islamic cultures - this girl is 5!
Just interested what you think of this man's reasoning.
Thanks
'A FATHER is considering taking his daughter out of a school because of an argument over her being taken swimming with classmates.
Rehan Mirza says he told teachers at William Booth Primary School, Sneinton, that it was against his Muslim beliefs for Zainab Hussain, five, to swim in mixed gender groups and with male staff present.
He has made a complaint to Nottingham City Council's children's services department because she was still taken to the pool at the John Carroll Leisure Centre, in Radford, despite his request.
Head teacher Andy Mattison has offered to meet Mr Mirza to come to an agreement
But he believes parents do not have the right to prevent their children swimming as part of school activities and said children would not be made to swim if they did not wish to.
Mr Mirza, 32, of Finsbury Avenue, Sneinton, said that if his wishes were not respected in future he would find his daughter another school.
"If it gets to that stage I would take her out of the school. I wouldn't think twice," he said. "I won't put my beliefs aside.
"Anyone's religious beliefs should be respected. There should be a moderate agreement between both parties.
"It is not as if we are taking her out of mainstream lessons.
"For religious purposes, we don't want mixed sex swimming sessions for our daughter.
"We have no problem with single sex, female swimming sessions." '
This was published recently in a local UK newspaper - I would like to know from muslims on QL if you think the father is making up his own rules here. Surely gender seperation starts at puberty in some Islamic cultures - this girl is 5!
Just interested what you think of this man's reasoning.
Thanks
'A FATHER is considering taking his daughter out of a school because of an argument over her being taken swimming with classmates.
Rehan Mirza says he told teachers at William Booth Primary School, Sneinton, that it was against his Muslim beliefs for Zainab Hussain, five, to swim in mixed gender groups and with male staff present.
He has made a complaint to Nottingham City Council's children's services department because she was still taken to the pool at the John Carroll Leisure Centre, in Radford, despite his request.
Head teacher Andy Mattison has offered to meet Mr Mirza to come to an agreement
But he believes parents do not have the right to prevent their children swimming as part of school activities and said children would not be made to swim if they did not wish to.
Mr Mirza, 32, of Finsbury Avenue, Sneinton, said that if his wishes were not respected in future he would find his daughter another school.
"If it gets to that stage I would take her out of the school. I wouldn't think twice," he said. "I won't put my beliefs aside.
"Anyone's religious beliefs should be respected. There should be a moderate agreement between both parties.
"It is not as if we are taking her out of mainstream lessons.
"For religious purposes, we don't want mixed sex swimming sessions for our daughter.
"We have no problem with single sex, female swimming sessions." '
http://www.thisisnottingham.co.uk/news/Muslim-father-unhappy-daughter-s-...