The rise of the hijab in schools, particularly primary schools, is a tricky issue which requires careful handling. But when campaigners are brave enough to speak
out about the fundamentalist influences behind it, and deeply regressive views of gender it is promoting, they must be given a chance to speak and be heard.
Unfortunately this week the opposite has happened. Yasmin Rehman's blog at the top of this Newsline lays bare the sinister tactics which some powerful Muslims are
using to silence her and her fellow activists. It is a sobering and vital read.
As several of our other stories this week show, we are continuing to uncover and highlight harmful practices in schools which are only justified in the name of
religion. Under the status quo the UK's education system defers too much to the opinions and special interests of the religious. One opportunity to change this is
coming to an end this weekend. The Commission on Religious Education's consultation closes on Monday at 9:00am. Please follow our call to action below to have your
say.
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News & Opinion
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Yasmin Rehman was among campaigners who recently met Ofsted's chief inspector to discuss veiling in schools. Now, she writes, some powerful Muslims are...
Read More
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The National Secular Society has called on the Department for Education (DfE) to investigate a number of state-funded Jewish schools where pupils receive...
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The Government's former integration tsar has called for a moratorium on the opening of new faith schools after a dossier revealed endorsements of wife-beating...
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Violent threats look set to censor a film which was due for UK release today. It's the latest sign of rising Hindu fundamentalism. In response, Chris
Sloggett... Read More
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The schools inspectorate Ofsted has said it will consult "a range of stakeholders" before finalising guidance over its approach to religious garments such...
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Almost half of independent faith schools have been rated as 'inadequate' or 'requires improvement' since Ofsted introduced new standards for inspections....
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As supporters of a new Bill aim to see home schooling in England registered for the first time, education and schools campaigner Alastair Lichten says...
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From the archives
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When mainstream politicians endorse the 'Christian nation' narrative they feed both Muslim and Christian persecution complexes and pander to the far-right,
argues Alastair Lichten.
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Call to action
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Monday 4 December (09.00) is the deadline to respond to the Commission on RE's consultation.
We want every pupil to have the same entitlement to high quality, non-partisan education about religion and belief. That's why we're campaigning for
legislative change to replace current laws surrounding RE with a new national entitlement for religion and belief learning. This entitlement should be
determined by educationalists and apply in all schools equally, including faith schools.
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Quote of the week
"Being religious – or being from 'our' religious tradition – should not give any politician a privileged position or a get-out clause that allows them to
ignore the accepted bases of authority: logic, scientific fact, experimental test, critical evaluation and an appeal to values we share in
common." Gordon Brown, former prime minister
"Despite promising to defend equality, tolerance and mutual respect in schools as part of the drive against extremism, ministers appear to be turning a blind
eye to taxpayers' money being used to promote the idea that girls are inferior to boys." Rachel Sylvester, political columnist at the Times,
says the Government must
face up to prejudiced teaching in Islamic schools
"They will say that it is just verbal and political. They know that in this world right now this is not the way some other people see it. It really isn't a
joke. It is genuinely dangerous. These campaigns are all part of an attempt to intimidate public figures from saying anything at all about integration into our
society." Trevor Phillips, the former equalities chief, responds to
being nominated for an annual 'Islamophobia award'
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AGM and new appointments
As secularism comes under attack on a range of fronts, the NSS is entering an exciting new era. On Saturday our AGM saw the changing of the guard among officers,
councillors and staff.
Keith Porteous Wood, whose long tenure as executive director came to an end, was elected as our new president. Terry Sanderson stood down as president after 11
years; he and Richard Scorer were elected as vice-presidents.
Ed Moore was re-elected as treasurer. Robert Forder and Patricia Wallis were elected as new members of council, while Afonso Reis e Sousa and Dorothy Smith were
re-elected. Meanwhile Stephen Evans's appointment as chief executive was confirmed.
As we restate our commitment to the secularist cause, we thank you for your support and pass our thanks to outgoing officers and members of council for their
hard work.
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Support our work
Please support our work so we can make the case for a fairer secular democracy for all.
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