An English secondary school has closed its doors for the second day in a row after a riot over showing a Mohammed cartoon in class. Yesterday, the teacher who showed the cartoon was already suspended after protest from dozens of parents.
It was a drawing from the French satirical magazine Charlie Hebdo. Students at the Leeds school were shown the cartoon during a lesson on religion earlier this week, much to the anger of many parents.
They believe that there is blasphemy and gathered at the school on Thursday to demonstrate and demanded the departure of the 29-year-old teacher. Today people were again protesting in front of the VWO school.
The events have caused a stir in the country. The Ministry of Education has condemned the protests for allegedly making threats. British media report that the teacher in question has gone into hiding.
Apologies from the management
The principal of the high school has previously apologized and did so on behalf of the teacher. He later called the use of the cartoon “completely inappropriate”. He also said in an email to the parents that the cartoon was “very offensive”.
The ministry said in a statement that schools are free to include various material in the curriculum, even if that material is “controversial or contentious”. It does, however, indicate that the curriculum must also allow for mutual respect for religion and belief.
The director of the Batley Grammar School has agreed that the cartoon will be removed from the curriculum and that the lessons on religion will be scrutinized.
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