A Muslim boarding school in the UK which threatens to expel students for mixing with other children has received a “good” rating by the government’s school inspection body, the website of Sky News reported on Saturday.

The school, based in the northern town of Dewsbury, bans its pupils - boys aged 13–19 - from speaking to the media. They are also not allowed to watch TV, listen to the radio or read newspapers, according to the report.

The school is situated in the huge Markazi Mosque compound, one of the largest in the UK, and is run by a sect that imposes a strict Sharia code on students. Documents obtained by Sky News given to parents from state that students socializing with “outsiders” face expulsion.

Additionally, the school’s handbook lists items “prohibited in Islam,” including cameras and portable televisions. Music players and mobile phones are also banned.

Media-shy

Shabbir Daji, chairman of the school’s governing council, told Sky News the school “works for unity”, but that its “policy is to keep away from the media,” he said.

The rating from the regulator, Ofsted, comes despite the education body introducing tougher inspections this year after reports that hardline Muslims had attempted to take control of several schools around the city of Birmingham.

Since April, Ofsted’s new regulations include a requirement that schools promote “fundamental British values.”

Last week, British Prime Minister David Cameron slammed faith schools in a speech on extremism, and said that furthering integration was part of the “struggle of our generation.”

He also said he would ask British Muslim leaders do more to promote British values.

A column in the London-based New Statesman magazine slammed the premier’s speech and downplayed his warnings against radicalization in schools.

“The ideals of violent Muslim extremists are not tolerated in your local mosque, nor are they accepted in schools or local community association,” the column read.



Last Update: Wednesday, 20 May 2020 KSA 09:44 - GMT 06:44