Muslim student loses High Court challenge against Michaela School’s prayer ban

Michaela Community School in Wembley, led by headteacher Katharine Birbalsingh, insisted its approach promoted ‘inclusion and social cohesion between pupils’

A Muslim student at a London school once dubbed Britain’s strictest has lost a High Court challenge against its ban on prayer rituals.

The pupil, who cannot be named, took legal action against Michaela Community School in Wembley claiming its policy was discriminatory and “uniquely” affects her faith due to its ritualised nature.

In an 83-page judgment dismissing the student’s case, Mr Justice Linden said: “It seems to me that this is a case…where 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.

“She knew that the school is secular and her own evidence is that her mother wished her to go there because it was known to be strict.

“She herself says that, long before the prayer ritual policy was introduced, she and her friends believed that prayer was not permitted at school and she therefore made up for missed prayers when she got home.”

The judge upheld the student’s challenge to a decision to temporarily exclude her from the school.

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Katharine Birbalsingh, the founder and headteacher of Michaela Community School, has hailed the ruling as a victory for all schools.

“The court’s decision is therefore a victory for all schools.

“Schools should not be forced by one child and her mother to change its approach simply because they have decided they don’t like something at the school.”

Education Secretary Gillian Keegan also welcomed the judgment on the free school’s prayer rituals ban.

She said: “I have always been clear that headteachers are best placed to make decisions in their school.

“Michaela is an outstanding school and I hope this judgment gives all school leaders the confidence to make the right decisions for their pupils.”

The case was heard at the High Court in January. Ms Birbalsingh, insisted its approach promoted “inclusion and social cohesion between pupils”.

She had planned to appeal the ruling if the school lost, telling the Sunday Times after the January hearing: “I will not divide children according to race and religion; it will not happen under my watch.”

The court was told the pupil, referred to only as TTT, was making a “modest” request to be allowed to pray for around five minutes at lunch time, on dates when faith rules required it, but not during lessons.

She argued the school’s stance on prayer – one of the five pillars of Islam – unlawfully breached her right to religious freedom and was “the kind of discrimination which makes religious minorities feel alienated from society”.

The policy was first introduced in March last year, the court heard.

Additional reporting by PA News Agency

Muslim student loses High Court challenge against Michaela School’s prayer ban

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Israeli military set to respond to Iran’s strikes

Israeli army chief promised a response to Iran’s unprecedented strike on the country, prompting calls for de-escalation from world leaders concerned about further conflict.

Six months of conflict between the Israelis and the Palestinian militant group Hamas in Gaza have sparked violence throughout the area, involving Iranian proxies and sympathizers who claim to help Palestinians in the Gaza Strip.

However, tensions have risen even higher with Tehran’s first direct attack on Israel, in revenge for a fatal April 1 strike on Iran’s consulate in Damascus.

“This launch of so many (Iranian) missiles, cruise missiles, and UAVs into the territory of the State of Israel will be met with a response,” Israeli army chief Lit-Gen. Herzi Halevi warned in an address to troops at the Nevatim military facility, which was rocked by Iran’s Saturday onslaught.

However, the military stated that it would not be distracted from its campaign against Hamas in Gaza.

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The United Nations highlighted reports of “air strikes, shelling, and heavy fighting” for the past five days at the Nuseirat refugee camp in Deir al-Balah, central Gaza.

Iran launched almost 300 drones and missiles against Israel late Saturday, according to Israel’s military, with virtually all intercepted.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu convened with his military cabinet late Monday to deliberate possible reactions, local media said, as Israel delivered its first formal statement on the deadly Syria strike.

“These were people who engaged in terrorism against the State of Israel,” military spokesman Rear Admiral Daniel Hagari said. “There was not a single diplomat there, as far as I know.”
Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps identified two generals as among the seven men slain in the consular attack.

Tehran claims its missile and drone onslaught against Israel was the first step in a severe new strategy.

Mohammad Jamshidi, the Iranian president’s political deputy, stated on X that the “era of strategic patience is over” and further targeting Iranian personnel and assets “will be met with a direct and punishing response.”

Tehran stated that the subject was “concluded” until Israel made “another mistake.”

Israeli military set to respond to Iran’s strikes

Priest, others attacked during church service in Sydney’s second mass stabbing

A bishop and several worshippers have been stabbed in an attack that was captured on video during a live-streamed service from a church in Sydney, only two days after a mass stabbing in a shopping centre.

Police said a man had been arrested following reports of the attack at the Christ the Good Shepherd Church just after 7pm local time in the Sydney suburb of Wakeley, New South Wales.

Video footage shared on social media shows Bishop Mar Mari Emmanuel speaking to the congregation before a man dressed in black walks up to where he is standing and stabs him repeatedly. The sounds of screaming are heard before congregants run to the front to try to help the bishop.

Several worshippers were also injured in the attack. Police said they had suffered non-life threatening injuries.

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A spokesman for New South Wales Ambulance told Australian media that a man in his 50s was taken to hospital with multiple stab wounds, while three other people were also injured and were being treated at the scene.

New South Wales Police said: “A police operation is under way in Wakeley, following reports of a stabbing. Officers attached to Fairfield City Police Area Command attended a location on Welcome Street, Wakeley following reports a number of people were stabbed.

“Officers arrested a male and he is assisting police with inquiries. The injured people suffered non-life threatening injuries and are being treated by NSW Ambulance paramedics. More information will be provided once it becomes available.”

Police said that the attacker appears to have deliberately targeted women.

Priest, others attacked during church service in Sydney’s second mass stabbing

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