Muslim parents have been threatened with legal action over daughter’s alleged unauthorised absences. Siham Hamud was sent back home everyday in December to change to the “correct” uniform and was considered absent.
The 12-year-old refuses to wear a knee-length skirt to school because it was against her religious beliefs and insists on wearing a longer skirt (ankle-length).
I think they should just let me wear my school uniform to school.
I feel confused and annoyed that I can’t wear what I want for my religion. I hope they’ll change their rules so that girls like me wear skirts to school.
Uxbridge High School, in West London sent a letter to Hamud’s parents reading:
Siham’s absence is being recorded as unauthorised. Unauthorised absence may result in a fine being issued, or legal action being taken against the adults who have parental responsibility or day-to-day care of your child. Legal action can be in the form of a penalty notice or a summons to the magistrate's court. I must ask that you support the school and your daughter by ensuring that she attends school in full school uniform with immediate effect.
Idris Hamud, Siham’s father said:
All Siham wants to do is to wear a skirt which is a few centimetres longer than her classmates - and I don’t know why the school has such a problem with this.
Siham makes her own decisions about her religion, and I can’t make her wear clothes she doesn’t want to wear, so neither should the school.
She is being denied an education because of her religious beliefs, and I don’t know how anyone can get away with that.
Due to the lockdown, Siham is currently studying from home. But her father fears that once the lockdown restrictions will be lifted, she would have to face this issue once again.
The school's principal, Nigel Clemens refused to comment on the matter as it is being examined currently.
