Mikaela school principal says Muslim prayer ban case 'took heavy toll'

Michaela's Public School in Brent claims that allowing prayers – one of the five pillars of Islam – risks “undermining integration and social cohesion between pupils”.

The school claims the ban came after a “brutal campaign of abuse, harassment and threats” against staff by those who urged Muslim pupils to perform prayers.

A free school is facing a High Court challenge from a Muslim student who claims a ban on indoor prayer is discriminatory and “exceptionally” affects her faith because of its ritualistic nature. About half of the school's 700 students are Muslims.

Principal Catherine Birbalsingh said some pupils had begun prayer rituals amid a campaign of “violence, intimidation and appalling racial harassment from our teachers”.

The two-day hearing in London before Judge Linden ended on Wednesday. The judge said he would issue his decision “as soon as possible.”

Ms. Birbalsingh, founder of the free school, about half of which is Muslim, said The Sunday Times this process “took heavy losses”.

“I go to school and I worry,” she said. “I'm at Michaela's every day at 6:45.

“All the teachers and I are trying to do is run a successful school and make the world a better place.”

Ms Birbalsingh said the ban was necessary to promote integration between pupils of different ethnic backgrounds and religions.

“If a school is secular, it should be allowed to be secular,” she said.

Ms Birbalsingh told the paper that the school would “definitely appeal” if it lost, adding: “I will not divide children based on race or religion; it will not happen under my watch.”

The pupil, who cannot be named for legal reasons, claimed the school's stance on prayer was “the kind of discrimination that makes religious minorities feel alienated from society”, the judges said.

Her lawyers said she was making a “modest” request to be allowed to pray for about five minutes at lunchtime, on days when religious rules require it, but not during lessons.

PA report