The Department of Education has reported that after a school teacher showed a caricature of Prophet Mohammed in school, a demonstration happened outside the school. Batley Grammar School in West Yorkshire says the cartoon was taken from French satirical magazine Charlie Hebdo. The caricature was shown in class on March 22.
A DfE spokesperson went on record to say that the "nature of protest we have seen, including issuing threats and in violation of coronavirus restrictions" must end.
It is in public knowledge that the depictions of the Prophet Mohammed are considered deeply offensive in the Muslim faith.
“One parent at the school said the cartoon was taken from Charlie Hebdo, the French satirical magazine that was attacked in 2015 by Islamist terrorists who killed 12 people in Paris,” Sky reported.
On Thursday evening, the DfE spokesperson said: "It is never acceptable to threaten or intimidate teachers. We encourage dialogue between parents and schools when issues emerge. Schools are free to include a full range of issues, ideas and materials in their curriculum, including where they are challenging or controversial, subject to their obligations to ensure political balance. They must balance this with the need to promote respect and tolerance between people of different faiths and beliefs, including in deciding which materials to use in the classroom."
Head teacher Gary Kibble said on Thursday: "The school unequivocally apologises for using a totally inappropriate image in a recent religious studies lesson. It should not have been used. A member of staff has also relayed their most sincere apologies. We have immediately withdrawn teaching on this part of the course and we are reviewing how we go forward with the support of all our communities represented in our school. It is important for children to learn about faiths and beliefs, but this must be done in a respectful, sensitive way. A member of staff has been suspended pending an independent formal investigation."
People had gathered outside the school to demand the resignation of the teacher involved. A police officer read a statement from Batley Grammar as protesters shouted that they wanted the member of staff "sacked".
In a letter to parents the school said, "The school would like to thank the parents who contacted us on Monday 22 March highlighting concerns with a resource used in an RS lesson that day. Upon investigation, it was clear that the resource used in the lesson was completely inappropriate and had the capacity to cause great offence to members of our school community, for which we would like to offer sincere and full apology."
In a letter addressed to Mr Kibble and shared online, founder of Batley-based charity Purpose Of Life, Mohammad Sajad Hussain, said he was "deeply hurt" by the "insulting caricatures of our beloved Prophet Mohammed".
The school was reportedly closed for a short while and no fines were levied or arrests were made.
