Blackburn woman quits school in gender row (From Lancashire Telegraph)

I am a parent of a child at the school in question and am greatly disturbed by this whole episode but more so the accuracy of the article above. It does not state some key facts about this case.

I think if somebody has access to the images in question then please post a link to them so the public can decide because at no point has Ms Patel or the school denied their authenticity.

The images clearly show Ms Patel dressed as a man and this is what led to most people (including myself) concluding this was the case. Some of the images also show the headteacher with Ms Patel dressed as a man. The two also live together in Bolton.

A group of parents approached the Chair of Governers with these images but were brushed aside and not taken seriously which then resulted in them being spread to other parents.

The ‘angry mob’ as the governers put it, was actually much more peaceful and larger in number and had the parents concerns been properly addressed from the onset this would never have occurred.

In short this is an all girls Muslim school and even if Ms Patel is a female there are still some serious questions about her conduct outside school and the role of the headteacher who actually lives with her. Look at the images and draw you own conclusions.

As usual the school committee is burying their collective head in the sand and looking to play the blame game. I have seen the pictures and although I have no wish to question the person concerned's sexuality what is worrying is the lifestyle of these two individuals? Here are two people at a private Islamic School for girls which promotes Islamic ethos and values yet the pictures clearly shows one holding a pint in her hand, smoking and dressed in man's attire? where's the Hijab gone? To work with children you have a duty of care to them and these two have clearly breached that care!

the two claims of parents were gender and religion, (being male and hindu) and demanding instant dismissal. Since when does the law of the UK allow dismissal on grounds of religion! On the gender issue, Apa Shifa was suspended pending investigation, matter was not crushed cried.

sorry, typo above. Should read; brushed aside. If governors would have done as demanded. They would have been taken to a tribunal. The 'mob' that assembled on monday included non parents.

Does not seem fair in 2001.
If the employee is able to do the job required there would seem to be no justification in the unwnated interest of others. We all have a right to privacy.

Haq wrote:
As usual the school committee is burying their collective head in the sand and looking to play the blame game. I have seen the pictures and although I have no wish to question the person concerned's sexuality what is worrying is the lifestyle of these two individuals? Here are two people at a private Islamic School for girls which promotes Islamic ethos and values yet the pictures clearly shows one holding a pint in her hand, smoking and dressed in man's attire? where's the Hijab gone? To work with children you have a duty of care to them and these two have clearly breached that care!

please enlighten me on how they have breached the care to the children? If you took time to read the article you will see the governing body has said "her unquestionable work ethic and professionalism has never been in doubt". If she enjoys a ciggy and a pint in her own time then good for her, to drive her out of school for wearing pants and a shirt is absilutely disgraceful. I hope she goes on to teach at a school were parents arent so narrow minded

yes islamic ethos and values is very important in a Muslim school. The situation should have been handled differently. Not the 'guilty till proven innocent' mob mentality, but due regard for the law of the land.

pete08 wrote:

Haq wrote: As usual the school committee is burying their collective head in the sand and looking to play the blame game. I have seen the pictures and although I have no wish to question the person concerned's sexuality what is worrying is the lifestyle of these two individuals? Here are two people at a private Islamic School for girls which promotes Islamic ethos and values yet the pictures clearly shows one holding a pint in her hand, smoking and dressed in man's attire? where's the Hijab gone? To work with children you have a duty of care to them and these two have clearly breached that care!

please enlighten me on how they have breached the care to the children? If you took time to read the article you will see the governing body has said "her unquestionable work ethic and professionalism has never been in doubt". If she enjoys a ciggy and a pint in her own time then good for her, to drive her out of school for wearing pants and a shirt is absilutely disgraceful. I hope she goes on to teach at a school were parents arent so narrow minded

Pete

Key words:

Private Islamic School, Promotes Islamic ethos/principals.

Life style, all be it private, goes against the grain a little don't you think?

If these two individuals cannot promote Islamic principals then who will?

audleylad52 - Seems like your uptospeed on this whole issue so maybe you could answer a few questions: Is the Headteacher still at the school?

I have read all the above comments and have to agree with Pete08, that she cant be sacked for wearing pants.
But as a teacher at a Muslim school, she shouldnt be drinking, whether in her own time or not.
I have seen these pictures and they are disgusting, The person named is in no doubt, the person is a man.
The school had promised when i rang, they would give a certifcate from a doctor confirming the person is a woman, would be given to the students.
No certificate was given to the students, only a letter from the principal with no proof.
Also, to work at the all muslims school, the teacher has to be MUSLIM and a WOMAN, not a MAN!!!

p.s re: the images, just spoken to the web editor at LET who kindly removed the links to the image (fair comment about rules) but if you see this issue and the images from a parents eyes you will understand their genuine concern. By the way the governers have room to talk, most of them send their kids to other schools!

audleylad52 wrote:
the two claims of parents were gender and religion, (being male and hindu) and demanding instant dismissal. Since when does the law of the UK allow dismissal on grounds of religion! On the gender issue, Apa Shifa was suspended pending investigation, matter was not crushed cried.

Was religion ever mentioned? As I understand it both reverted to Islam many years back.

Its fair for parents to expect religious teachers working at religious schools......not tomboys

Although the behaviour of some of the parents here sounds dreadful

audleylad52 wrote:
sorry, typo above. Should read; brushed aside. If governors would have done as demanded. They would have been taken to a tribunal. The 'mob' that assembled on monday included non parents.

fair comment about the possibility of a tribunal, see recent case concerning the same school:
http://www.asianimag
e.co.uk/northwest/43
52791.Headteacher_is
_awarded_over___7_00
0/

They havent exactly played their cards right in the past and from what i gather its the same bunch running the school at present!

Akki wrote:
Its fair for parents to expect religious teachers working at religious schools......not tomboys Although the behaviour of some of the parents here sounds dreadful

This 'mob' label is totally unfair. I've spoken to another parent who was a the protest and angry words were said on both sides. The only demand was that the headteacher (who knew about this all along, remember the two live together) should be suspended aswell pending investigation

Fear Allah when commenting, because she happens to dress like a man and looks like one does not mean she is one.

Those that have an interest in the school ie, paying parents should concentrate on whether these two individuals are uphlding/promoting/p
racticing the Islamic prinicipals?

If only the Governers took appropriate action when the issue was first raised by concerned parents, instead of brushing them aside all this could have been addressed much more amicably.

Haq wrote:

audleylad52 wrote:
the two claims of parents were gender and religion, (being male and hindu) and demanding instant dismissal. Since when does the law of the UK allow dismissal on grounds of religion! On the gender issue, Apa Shifa was suspended pending investigation, matter was not crushed cried.

Was religion ever mentioned? As I understand it both reverted to Islam many years back.

it was claimed in the emails that circulated. Indeed that is why they still want the headteacher removed,

audleylad52 wrote:

Haq wrote:

audleylad52 wrote: the two claims of parents were gender and religion, (being male and hindu) and demanding instant dismissal. Since when does the law of the UK allow dismissal on grounds of religion! On the gender issue, Apa Shifa was suspended pending investigation, matter was not crushed cried.

Was religion ever mentioned? As I understand it both reverted to Islam many years back.

it was claimed in the emails that circulated. Indeed that is why they still want the headteacher removed,

All I can say is the headteacher, who has lived many years with the individual concerned, had a duty to inform the school body.

Haq wrote:

pete08 wrote:

Haq wrote: As usual the school committee is burying their collective head in the sand and looking to play the blame game. I have seen the pictures and although I have no wish to question the person concerned's sexuality what is worrying is the lifestyle of these two individuals? Here are two people at a private Islamic School for girls which promotes Islamic ethos and values yet the pictures clearly shows one holding a pint in her hand, smoking and dressed in man's attire? where's the Hijab gone? To work with children you have a duty of care to them and these two have clearly breached that care!

please enlighten me on how they have breached the care to the children? If you took time to read the article you will see the governing body has said "her unquestionable work ethic and professionalism has never been in doubt". If she enjoys a ciggy and a pint in her own time then good for her, to drive her out of school for wearing pants and a shirt is absilutely disgraceful. I hope she goes on to teach at a school were parents arent so narrow minded

Pete

Key words:

Private Islamic School, Promotes Islamic ethos/principals.

Life style, all be it private, goes against the grain a little don't you think?

If these two individuals cannot promote Islamic principals then who will?

I agree her PRIVATE LIFE goes against the grain a little but if she is doing an adequate job with the children then there shouldnt be a problem. How did these photos come about a fancy dress party maybe? are you not aloud to have a bit of fun if your promoting islamic ethos. Sorry i have to say it again NARROW MINDED. Why not get someone like choudary in to promote his version of islam

pete when you do some research you will find a pint does not go hand in hand with Islam

you cannot disregard it as 'a bit of fun'

nothing to do with narrow mindedness

Akki wrote:
pete when you do some research you will find a pint does not go hand in hand with Islam

you cannot disregard it as 'a bit of fun'

nothing to do with narrow mindedness

again i agree but a pint doesnt go hand in hand with islam but if it DOESNT affect her work with children then it shouldnt be a problem. Most islamic shopowners dont have a problem making money from such products do they i bet some of them even use those profits to send the daughters to this school

pete08 wrote:

Haq wrote:

pete08 wrote:

Haq wrote: As usual the school committee is burying their collective head in the sand and looking to play the blame game. I have seen the pictures and although I have no wish to question the person concerned's sexuality what is worrying is the lifestyle of these two individuals? Here are two people at a private Islamic School for girls which promotes Islamic ethos and values yet the pictures clearly shows one holding a pint in her hand, smoking and dressed in man's attire? where's the Hijab gone? To work with children you have a duty of care to them and these two have clearly breached that care!

please enlighten me on how they have breached the care to the children? If you took time to read the article you will see the governing body has said "her unquestionable work ethic and professionalism has never been in doubt". If she enjoys a ciggy and a pint in her own time then good for her, to drive her out of school for wearing pants and a shirt is absilutely disgraceful. I hope she goes on to teach at a school were parents arent so narrow minded

Pete Key words: Private Islamic School, Promotes Islamic ethos/principals. Life style, all be it private, goes against the grain a little don't you think? If these two individuals cannot promote Islamic principals then who will?

I agree her PRIVATE LIFE goes against the grain a little but if she is doing an adequate job with the children then there shouldnt be a problem. How did these photos come about a fancy dress party maybe? are you not aloud to have a bit of fun if your promoting islamic ethos. Sorry i have to say it again NARROW MINDED. Why not get someone like choudary in to promote his version of islam

With respect Pete, perhaps one needs to understand Islam is a way of life, be it public or private. In Islam any form of intoxicants is forbidden, period!

These parents are sending their daughters to a private Islamic paying School and as such have a right to ask questions.

ps lol Choudry does not and will never represent mainstream Muslims......sell out comes to mind!

Haq wrote:

pete08 wrote:

Haq wrote:

pete08 wrote:

Haq wrote: As usual the school committee is burying their collective head in the sand and looking to play the blame game. I have seen the pictures and although I have no wish to question the person concerned's sexuality what is worrying is the lifestyle of these two individuals? Here are two people at a private Islamic School for girls which promotes Islamic ethos and values yet the pictures clearly shows one holding a pint in her hand, smoking and dressed in man's attire? where's the Hijab gone? To work with children you have a duty of care to them and these two have clearly breached that care!

please enlighten me on how they have breached the care to the children? If you took time to read the article you will see the governing body has said "her unquestionable work ethic and professionalism has never been in doubt". If she enjoys a ciggy and a pint in her own time then good for her, to drive her out of school for wearing pants and a shirt is absilutely disgraceful. I hope she goes on to teach at a school were parents arent so narrow minded

Pete Key words: Private Islamic School, Promotes Islamic ethos/principals. Life style, all be it private, goes against the grain a little don't you think? If these two individuals cannot promote Islamic principals then who will?

I agree her PRIVATE LIFE goes against the grain a little but if she is doing an adequate job with the children then there shouldnt be a problem. How did these photos come about a fancy dress party maybe? are you not aloud to have a bit of fun if your promoting islamic ethos. Sorry i have to say it again NARROW MINDED. Why not get someone like choudary in to promote his version of islam

With respect Pete, perhaps one needs to understand Islam is a way of life, be it public or private. In Islam any form of intoxicants is forbidden, period!

These parents are sending their daughters to a private Islamic paying School and as such have a right to ask questions.

ps lol Choudry does not and will never represent mainstream Muslims......sell out comes to mind!

i understand islam is a way of life like christianity most islamic shopkeepers dont seem to mind profiting from selling forbidden substances (alcohol) why are these people not vilified and driven from there jobs?? ok a little different from drinking the stuff but if it is forbidden then it shouldnt be condoned

pete08 wrote:

Akki wrote: pete when you do some research you will find a pint does not go hand in hand with Islam you cannot disregard it as 'a bit of fun' nothing to do with narrow mindedness

again i agree but a pint doesnt go hand in hand with islam but if it DOESNT affect her work with children then it shouldnt be a problem. Most islamic shopowners dont have a problem making money from such products do they i bet some of them even use those profits to send the daughters to this school

Is that your justification?
Theres a big difference between an islamic shopowner and a shopowner who looks and calls himself islamic.
Muslim cannot drink or sell alcohol period.

Like i said before, its not unreasonable for parents to expect Religious teachers at religious schools and this conduct was far from it.

As a muslim I must say I find the behaviour of many people in all of this so very hypocritical. We all have a dark side but the fact is that this young lady was doing a fantastic and thorough job in giving her students a education and the school authorities have backed her.

I suspect a vicious witch-hunt as all too common as it is in the villages of the indian-continent where alot of these narrow-minded parents come from.

Theres alot of imams and so-called religeous people who proclaim to be the most devout and pious people but in actual fact are the most hate-mongering, spiteful and hot-headed and bigoted human-beings.

Atleast this young lady is doing a great job. Lets face it Im sure most the parents calling for her to be sacked all have half-naked Bollywood girls singing and dancing seductively beaming out of their televisions at home. Theres also alot of these very same parents who wouldent think twice in conning other people.

This is a vicious with-hunt and it stinks

To the person concerned in this article:

Why post your personal pics up on FACEBOOK where anyone can download, copy and print if you want to hide your personal life?

I saw the pics as well and if my girl was attending ur school i would have been very concerned too after seeing the pics.
As i see it i would have sent my girl to the school to get an islamic education in an islamic environment with islamic morals.
If she had seen ur pics and u were working there what impressions and examples would fall on her?

What is islamically correct and wrong?

To the governing
body of the school, madrassa and masjid:

Why are no parent governers on the body?

Why do you not deal with and act on concerns raised from parents accordingly so as not to get out of proportion?

Why are some parents scared to speak up?

Why are parents humiliated when they do make a complaint or raise a concern?

Why is a child TOLD not to tell her parents when the ceiling falls on her?

Why do you FORCE people to DONATE for the building of the new masjid, shouldnt it be freely given by people?

People everything is not as it seems in the 'strict' school, the madrassa and the new masjid.

Open your eyes, go see for yourself and do something about it....!

Make it the people issue and the TRUTH issue!

MYVIEW987 wrote:
To the person concerned in this article: Why post your personal pics up on FACEBOOK where anyone can download, copy and print if you want to hide your personal life? I saw the pics as well and if my girl was attending ur school i would have been very concerned too after seeing the pics. As i see it i would have sent my girl to the school to get an islamic education in an islamic environment with islamic morals. If she had seen ur pics and u were working there what impressions and examples would fall on her? What is islamically correct and wrong? To the governing body of the school, madrassa and masjid: Why are no parent governers on the body? Why do you not deal with and act on concerns raised from parents accordingly so as not to get out of proportion? Why are some parents scared to speak up? Why are parents humiliated when they do make a complaint or raise a concern? Why is a child TOLD not to tell her parents when the ceiling falls on her? Why do you FORCE people to DONATE for the building of the new masjid, shouldnt it be freely given by people? People everything is not as it seems in the 'strict' school, the madrassa and the new masjid. Open your eyes, go see for yourself and do something about it....! Make it the people issue and the TRUTH issue!

Well said!

The teacher was very naive in putting her pictures on facebook but as far as Im concerned thats her private life and in the past.

Within the madrassah environment the teacher provided a very dedicated service to her students and that is acknowleged by many parents and the fellow teachers and authroties at the madrassah.

Its very unfortunate that people have resorted to sleazy and pathetic digging up of ones past indiscrections to justify this vicious witch-hunt.

Digging out peoples past indiscretions or private-life to justify a vicious evil witch-hunt against a good teacher is simply not right. Its just like a sleazy tabloid journalism.

We all have a past and I know of many so-called respectable and religous people who have skeletons within their cupboards . I also happen to notice many girls and women in headscarves and purdah meeting up with lovers and boyfriends

Im sure the very same parents that are instigating this witch-hunt enjoy the half-naked bollywood women beaming out of their television sets at home.

Ones sins are accountable to Allah only and Im absolutely appalled by this ridiculous mob

This mob represents Islam in a intolerable way and that simply is just very very sad.

It is about time that we go back to the basic teaching and ethics of islam. Al islah is a muslim school but it is everything but islamic. You have a mufti who tells everyone how good this school is and to donate to this school and then sends his daughter to another to a CE school. Is that hypocritical?
Then you have the governors who want to pull one back on the parents, they do not want to talk to the parents or come clean with them and this was proved on Monday with the Governors calling the police on the parents. This school was set up and promoted as islamic educational establishment for girls but in fact it is nothing more that a money making scheme for a few individuals.

I THINK THE TRUTH IS STILL HIDDEN!!!!
Why have the students been given all the related articles from School but not the so called BUPA certificate??? Also why has it not been given on request?? The so called trustees need to take a deep look at themselves, One of the trustees who is also the imam said to the parents 'If you don't move from here we will push you away' And another trustee when confronted regarding the Alcohol pictures he replied saying 'Don't we all have TVs in our houses thats also haram' Hello atleast we dont drink!! And why are we sending our children to an islamic school?? and why are we paying so much when GCSE subjects are being taught by young unqualified students of the school!

Also those people that have seen the pictures 'Do you still think he's a female??!!??' As Shifaa accepted that the pictures were of his personal life! SHIFAA WHY WOULD YOU LIKE TO WEAR A SHERWANI ON A WEDDING OCCASION???!!! The school have failed to provide the true evidence!!!!!!

I think we should question all things that go on within the masjid and madrassah but as members of the parish or community I feel we should be morally obliged to donate to the success and sustainability and improvement of the masjid/madrassah.

We should all question the direction in which the mosque/madrasaah heads but with rationale and calm rather than the hostile and aggressive way in which many people do so.

I think its the age-old thing within religeon...dissent within the church/mosque or whatever creating off-shoot sects and groups

many people are commenting on this articles, without looking at the pictures. I am still not convinced that this person is a girl, the test has been taken by her, how could you even believe that, she could've easily sent or taken another girl and take a test. The school should have stood up to the criticism and taken the test once and for all. If she was a girl, why did she resigns, she should have come out and defend herself. If somebody looked at her facebook, it said 22 male.

What LET has done is taking story from one person and published the story, without considering the whole picture.

I believe the whole story has making of their own, if she claimed to be a muslim she shouldn't be drinking and consuming alcohol in the first place, this goes for fatima patel too, and to make it worst both the headteacher and the girl were teaching in a islamic school, where people are offended by their actions.
At least publish the photos, so the general public can make up their mind.

imrank wrote:
many people are commenting on this articles, without looking at the pictures. I am still not convinced that this person is a girl, the test has been taken by her, how could you even believe that, she could've easily sent or taken another girl and take a test. The school should have stood up to the criticism and taken the test once and for all. If she was a girl, why did she resigns, she should have come out and defend herself. If somebody looked at her facebook, it said 22 male.

What LET has done is taking story from one person and published the story, without considering the whole picture.

I believe the whole story has making of their own, if she claimed to be a muslim she shouldn't be drinking and consuming alcohol in the first place, this goes for fatima patel too, and to make it worst both the headteacher and the girl were teaching in a islamic school, where people are offended by their actions.
At least publish the photos, so the general public can make up their mind.

WELL SAID!!

How can you have a profile on facebook saying 22 male and claims to be a female??!!
Honestly I fail to understand!!
If the headteacher acts islamic in the school hours and not outside, is that not hypocritical.. Its the same as bringing a non-muslim headteacher who dresses islamically in the school hours and outside school hours she can do what she likes!!

Why is it an Islamic School???

I really think that if the parents are that bothered by the mufti and imam etc then it would be wise for them to enrol their kids at another school.

This mob vigilantism is just so uncivilised and unislamic.

Some of the parents behaviour has been disgusting and extremely volatile it seems.

The mufti/Imam may not be innocent but theres no need for this baying mob to behave like a pack of hound dogs.

Its these kind of so-called religeous people that give us muslims a bad name all over from Pakistan to Noorul-Islam in Audley Range

imrank wrote:
many people are commenting on this articles, without looking at the pictures. I am still not convinced that this person is a girl, the test has been taken by her, how could you even believe that, she could've easily sent or taken another girl and take a test. The school should have stood up to the criticism and taken the test once and for all. If she was a girl, why did she resigns, she should have come out and defend herself. If somebody looked at her facebook, it said 22 male.

What LET has done is taking story from one person and published the story, without considering the whole picture.

I believe the whole story has making of their own, if she claimed to be a muslim she shouldn't be drinking and consuming alcohol in the first place, this goes for fatima patel too, and to make it worst both the headteacher and the girl were teaching in a islamic school, where people are offended by their actions.
At least publish the photos, so the general public can make up their mind.

WELL SAID!!

How can you have a profile on facebook saying 22 male and claims to be a female??!!
Honestly I fail to understand!!
If the headteacher acts islamic in the school hours and not outside, is that not hypocritical.. Its the same as bringing a non-muslim headteacher who dresses islamically in the school hours and outside school hours she can do what she likes!!

Why is it an Islamic School???

NadeemK wrote:
I really think that if the parents are that bothered by the mufti and imam etc then it would be wise for them to enrol their kids at another school.

This mob vigilantism is just so uncivilised and unislamic.

Some of the parents behaviour has been disgusting and extremely volatile it seems.

The mufti/Imam may not be innocent but theres no need for this baying mob to behave like a pack of hound dogs.

Its these kind of so-called religeous people that give us muslims a bad name all over from Pakistan to Noorul-Islam in Audley Range

Seems like you need to do alot more research!!

ان الله يعلم ما تخفي الصدور

ان الله عالم الغيب والشهادة

Allah will surely make the truth clear!!
And Allah SWT knows best!

I havent seen the FACEBOOK the girl in question but one thing I have come to realise about people within the asian community is that they do tend to exagerate and make the craziest and wildest claims to back up their beleifs and agendas.

I really believe its simply just such an outrageous story about the sexality that is creating so much fitna within the muslim community in Audley Range

These claims about the sexuality appear to me as vicious evil lies and slanders and I really hope the people that have jumped on the gravy-train with their own chinese whispers can take a the time out to calm and cool themselves down and make dua to allah amd ask for forgiveness

truthhurts

Im sorry I dont read or ever go on facebook or do sleazy Newsoftheworld type journalistic type research.

I do research on more important pressing issues such as our very existence and the akirah.

Allah is the most compassionate, merficul and forgiving

Mr NadeemK is a regular aat the al islah mosque so he knows what goes on in there!!

PakistaniMunda

Im sorry but this is not about any race or ethnic gender.

Muslims are being given a very band name by narrow-minded bigots in all ove the world including in India, Pakistan and in little areas like Audley Range by the shennigans at the Noorul-Islam mosque.

To make this issue into a race/ethnic or sectarian issue is simply so pathetic and sad...its no wonder we have so much in-fighting and sectarian violence within Islam these days

And for the record my parents are from Pakistan

NadeemK wrote:
PakistaniMunda Im sorry but this is not about any race or ethnic gender. Muslims are being given a very band name by narrow-minded bigots in all ove the world including in India, Pakistan and in little areas like Audley Range by the shennigans at the Noorul-Islam mosque. To make this issue into a race/ethnic or sectarian issue is simply so pathetic and sad...its no wonder we have so much in-fighting and sectarian violence within Islam these days And for the record my parents are from Pakistan

Nadeemk, you are surely quoting on news and stories, which is dumb founded, you need to look at the facts, you need to look at the reality, you are just generalising on the whole subject. we are not starting a war, we just want to know the truth, you cannot judge a book by it's cover, you need to know the content. In these days and times, I could setup an Islamic school, but I could have baseless or non-existent islamic values in my school. WOuld you accept that?
Also the question here is with the committee, concerned parents and community people went with questions, all their got was abuse, foul mouthed and false accusations. If their has acted right in the first place, and respected this concerned, this whole episode wouldn't have happened. Next Nadeemk, when you try to defend someone, I expect you to know the facts before the truth, otherwise, you will be amongst them for who you lied, not knowingly you will be labelled as liar for whole your life.

For what it's worth!

Let's all take a step back and try and approach this in a civilised and Islamic Manner?

No matter how damning the pictures are one cannot for sure say that this individual is male and unless we are given 100% evidence then Allah knows best and we should live it at that. We have to remember there are many people out there who are female but look male, that itself does not give us the right to question their sexuality.

Secondly, the school body have acted very unprofessional and have made major errors in dealing with this whole issue, gut reaction from them was to put up defences/barriers and anyone asking legitimate questions or showing concern are seen as trouble makers.

Concerned parents also have made mistakes, they need to approach this in a rational and professional manner.

After all this is a private school with parents folking out their hard earned cash for the Islamic education of their children and as such their concerns have to be addressed.

Why don't both parties have an open meeting and sort this whole mess out once and for all in a cordial and Islamic manner?

It is good to see all these comments and that people are making comments both against and for the individuals and the school.
A true British way of expression and this will show the racists that many of the people contributing are not dominated by the words of religious elders.
As for the ladies in question, that is a matter, in my opinion, for the parents who pay the fees for their children's education. He who pays the piper chooses the tune so to speak.

Second thoughts. Everyday a bus driven by an eldrly Asian gentleman collects and delivers back home a young Asain girl who goes to a private school in Blackburn. The service is door to door. The young lady does not mix with any non Asian neighbours of her own age. How can she possibly integrate into the English way of life?

ImranK

It was the mosque authorities who had to call the police due to the vile, volatile and hostile abuse from the baying mob so please stop this ridiculous assertion that a hostile baying mob was actually a very good peace-loving group who went to the madrassah in some cordial way and politely asked questions and instead got abused and sworn at. Im sorry that just doesnt wash. That story just doesnt wash with anyone and one can easily tell what a silly pathetic story that really is.

You mentioned false allegations. Im sorry but the most craziest false allegation it seems to me is this libellous slur on a young lady that she is a man rather than a woman.

And finally to say that I will be amongst those for whom I lied. Talk about unbelievable hypocrisy. What an odious indiviual you are ImranK

I cant believe I have even composed this message

Anyway this whole episode is of a huge embarassment and incredible shame on the muslim community.

Its this kind of infighting that makes muslims come across as narrow-minded, hate-filled, intolerant and bigoted and Im disgusted with this whole thing.

i think that the school is run by a bunch of hypocrites.
Why can they not just cut the **** and just tell the truth ,if anyone saw yhe pics you could clearly tell shifa was a man , so i dont understand why the schools comittee is lying for.they are trying to defend soomething which is indefensible.

Haq wrote:
As usual the school committee is burying their collective head in the sand and looking to play the blame game. I have seen the pictures and although I have no wish to question the person concerned's sexuality what is worrying is the lifestyle of these two individuals? Here are two people at a private Islamic School for girls which promotes Islamic ethos and values yet the pictures clearly shows one holding a pint in her hand, smoking and dressed in man's attire? where's the Hijab gone? To work with children you have a duty of care to them and these two have clearly breached that care!

Islamic ethos and values? Misogyny, anti Semitism, homophobia, intolerance, sexual repression, guilt and ignorance should feature regularly in the curriculum them!