A 15-year-old Muslim schoolboy will be forced to shake hands with his female teachers after he refused to do so because of his religious beliefs.

Amer Salhani lost his appeal on Monday after his school in Switzerland rejected his argument that the Swiss tradition of handshake greetings went against Islam.

The teenager and his older brother sparked a fiery debate earlier this year when they said they could not shake their teacher's hand because their religion forbids physical contact with a member of the opposite sex - unless they are family.

Amer Salhani, 15, lost his appeal on Monday after his school in Therwil, Switzerland, rejected his argument that the Swiss tradition of handshake greetings went against Islam

Their high school in Therwil, Basel-Country, initially agreed to exempt the brothers.

But this move sparked so much outrage that the school board ruled the boys would face disciplinary measures and a fine of up to 5,000 francs if they did not co-operate.

This week, the school rejected a complaint by the parents over the disciplinary measures taken against their youngest son.

The school said it was the teachers' right to demand a handshake, according to Blick.

Amer reportedly started this school year refusing to participate in the Swiss custom.

His older brother left the school at the end of the last academic year in June.

The school's decision was welcomed by Monica Gschwind, head of Basel-Country's education department.

She said in a statement that shaking hands with teachers is 'deeply rooted in our society and culture', according to The Local.