Islam lesson triggers anti-Muslim protest at UK primary school

Parents and far-right campaigners have protested outside a primary school in Country Durham, North East England, over a lesson on Islam, The Northern Echo reported.

The protest, which took place at East Stanley Primary School in Stanley during lunchtime on Wednesday, came in response to a lesson on Islam that included a talk by a visitor from the Islamic Diversity Centre in Newcastle.

"The school is forcing our children to learn about Islam against the wishes of the parents and someone from Newcastle Islamic Centre is coming in to preach," one parent said.

Joanne Williams, the school's headteacher, defended the lesson, saying that the majority of parents backed the decision to invite a Muslim leader to talk to the student despite the protest outside the school.

"As a school we feel it is important that in our modern secular society children are given a wide range of opportunities to learn about, interact with and learn tolerance and respect for other cultures, religions and communities," she explained.

"We let parents know that this visit was taking place as well as organising a session for families, and we are pleased that we have seen support from the majority of our mums and dads."

The incident took place just weeks after police were called when concerned parents told teachers that a group of Muslim men were spotted praying in a car park near the school.

Inspector Kelly Martin, of Stanley Police, said the protest passed off peacefully without incident and no arrests were made.

As a school we feel it is important that in our modern secular society children are given a wide range of opportunities to learn about, interact with and learn tolerance and respect for other cultures, religions and communities. - Joanne Williams

"After the incident in December the school wanted to do some work with the Muslim community so people could be educated," she said.

"That is why we were involved, supporting the school in facilitating that and not to police any protest, I want to be very clear about that."

The police, the parents and school staff have been criticised as racist and 'small minded' following the incident.

The school justified its behaviour saying it had followed standard practice, while the police said they attended because of a potential obstruction in a public car park.

"While people are entitled to their opinions and to register their objections within the law, our objective is to bring the community together to understand each other and be tolerant of other views and not alienate or isolate people," inspector Martin explained.