London: Two teenage Muslim pupils face isolation for refusing to shave. Mount Carmel Roman Catholic High School in Accrington, Lancashire has alleged the young students for violating the set dress code.
The school administration has banned several activities of fashion, including wearing make- up, inappropriate jewelry, fake tan and dying of hair. Observing beard also falls under the banning guidelines.
Families of the ‘punished’ pupils however responded to the happening as a ‘discriminatory act’ against them. They said that beard is sign of their religion and faith and hence they cannot shave. Letter of complaint has also been sent to the institution by them in the relation to the happening.
One of the relatives talking to the media called it to be pure discrimination since the ‘Muslim young men’ are not allowed to mingle with their classmates. Every day, both of them are put in isolation for almost 6 and half hours for sticking to their religious obligations, she added.
Western countries support freedom of expression and it is to be followed by the educational institutions too. However, the government has backed up the institutions that ban veil as observed by the Muslim women, as part of violation of their policies.
Such issues point out the ‘open policy’ and definition of ‘freedom of expression’ as dictated by the west.