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We, the undersigned, Muslim, non-Muslim, people of faith and no-faith believe that Muslim girls and women should have an absolute right to choose whether to wear or not to wear the headscarf (hijab).
The hijab/headscarf is worn by individuals for different reasons which can include a display of culture, a sign of faith, or a symbol of empowerment, resistance and pride.
The statements by the Chief Inspector of Schools, Amanda Spielman, supporting the banning of the hijab/headscarf in primary schools risks demonising the Muslim community in general and Muslim women in particular.
We find the decision to single out Muslim children unacceptable, and insist that no schoolchild should be targeted for action on the basis of their race, religion or background.
The demonization of the hijab/headscarf has contributed to rising anti-Muslim hate crime, of which women constitute the majority of victims.
Amanda Spielman’s statements and guidance to inspectors can only risk reinforcing an anti-Muslim political culture in our society, in which Islamophobia and anti-Muslim racism become institutionalised in schools and across the public sector.
We call on the Chief Inspector of Schools to rescind any instruction to inspectors to question young girls about their dress or make judgements about schools on the basis of whether pupils wear the hijab/headscarf.
Supported by the following:
Louise Regan NEU (NUT section) President
Kiri Tunks, NEU (NUT section) Senior Vice President
Amanda Martin, NEU (NUT section) Vice President Elect
Sally Hunt UCU General Secretary
Joanna de Groot UCU President
Dave Muritu UCU Vice-chair Equality Committee, NEC
Maz Saleem Anti-racist campaigner
Talha Ahmad, Muslim Council of Britain
Naila Naidoo, Director, Newham Muslim Women’s Association
Mohammed Kozbar, chairman Finsbury Park Mosque
Rakhia Ismail, Islington Labour councillor
Nahella Ashaf, spokesperson for Stand Up To racism
Jerry Glazier NEU (NUT section) executive member
Robin Head NEU (NUT section) executive member
Jess Edwards NEU (NUT section) executive member
Dave Harvey, NEU (NUT section) executive member
Stefan Simms NEU (NUT section) executive member
Alex Kenny NEU (NUT section) executive member
Anne Lemon NEU (NUT section) executive member
Graham White NEU (NUT section) executive member
Simon Murch NEU (NUT execitive member
Annette Pryce NEU (NUT section) LBGT+ seat, executive member
Mandy Hudson NEU (NUT section) Disabled Teachers seat holder, executive member
Paulina Blackstock NEU (NUT section) BME teachers seat holder, executive member
Hazel Danson NEU (NUT section) executive member
Nick Wigmore NEU (NUT section) executive member
Joseph Wyglendacz NEU (NUT section executive
Dawn Taylor NEU (NUT section executive member
Jane Nellist NEU (NUT section) executive member
Nita Sanghera UCU Black Members Rep, NEC
Sean Vernell UCU Vice-chair Further Education Committee, NEC
Elane Heffernan UCU Chair Disabled Members Committee, NEC
Rhiannon Lockley, UCU NEC
Elaine White, UCU NEC
Margot Hill, UCU NEC
Lesley Kane, UCU NEC
Richard McEwan, UCU FE National Negotiator
Laura Miles, UCU Trustee
Ed Harlow. Haringey NEU (NUT section) Branch Secretary
Umit Yildiz, UCU, Edge Hill University
Ioanna Ioannou, UCU, UCL
Mark Abel, UCU Branch Chair Brighton University
Safia Flissi UCU Branch Secretary South and City Birmingham College
Naina Kent, UCU Black Members Standing Committee, Hackney ACE
Michael Szpakowski, UCU Branch Chair Writtle University College (personal capacity)
Andy Stone and Jan Nielsen, Joint branch secretaries, Wandsworth NEU (NUT section)
Stand Up To Racism