A UK school that threatened a lawsuit over a Muslim schoolgirl whose skirt was “too long” has backed down from taking legal action and apologized, The Guardian reported on Tuesday.
Siham Hamud, 12, of Uxbridge High School in London, said she was bullied over her religion after being sent home every day in December and told she could only return when wearing a shorter skirt.
Uxbridge High School has dropped legal action and apologised after they threatened a muslim schoolgirl who wore a skirt that was "too long" pic.twitter.com/4EvFT3skRM
— UB1UB2 (@UB1UB2) March 16, 2021
The school subsequently threatened her family with legal action after her consecutive absences. Her parents argued that short skirts violate Islamic religious beliefs.
But three months after first threatening legal action, Uxbridge High School has reversed its decision.
Siham’s father Idris Hamud said the period has been “difficult” for the family, and he felt relief upon hearing the news.
In a statement released by lawyers, Hamud said he is “pleased” that the school has listened to their concerns.
“We are very happy that Siham has been able to resume her schooling, with her right to practice her faith by wearing an ankle-length skirt in the same style as the school uniform skirt now accommodated by the school,” he added.
The school has also sent a letter of apology, the statement said. “We thank the school for its willingness to work towards a fair and positive outcome,” Hamud said.
Siham Hamud, 12, described being bullied for her religious beliefs after being sent home every day in December from Uxbridge high school in Hillingdon, Middlesex, and told to only come back when she wore a shorter skirt.#Islamophobia https://t.co/iveWJkAU3R
— Mobashra (@mobbiemobes) January 12, 2021
“This has been a difficult period and we are relieved to now have the matter concluded. We are grateful for the support we have received from the wider community.”
Hamud had previously warned that his daughter was “being denied an education because of her religious beliefs.”
This article has been adapted from its original source.