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They can be told off for looking out of the window or forgetting a pencil, or given detention for slouchingSitting in a lazy, drooping way.. And now, students of the Michaela Community School in Brent, north London, cannot gather for group prayer at break or lunchtime.

The secondary school headed by "Britain's strictest headteacher" Katharine Birbalsingh won an important victory in the UK's High Court after one of the school's own pupils challenged its decision to ban prayer ritualsReligious or solemn activities comprising activities in a certain order..

The ban came into place in March 2023, after groups of up to 30 Muslim students gathered to pray in the school's yard during lunchtimes. The school does not allow gatherings of more than four students.

The challenge made by a Michaela School pupil alleged that this discriminates against Muslim pupils. The court heard that around half of the school's 700 pupils are Muslim, though the Michaela School itself is strictly secularA word used to describe something that is not connected with the religious or spiritual sphere.. 

Under UK law, schools do not have to provide a place for students to pray. Many feel that this unfairly discriminates against Muslim pupils, since prayers are required at specific times of the day.

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Ms Birbalsingh welcomed the decision by the High Court, stating that "if parents do not like what Michaela is, they do not need to send their children to us".

The decision has been met with controversy, with some claiming that it speaks to a culture of British IslamophobiaDislike of Islam and Muslims..

Are anti-racists overcorrecting?

Yes! Why should Muslim students be allowed to disobey the rules that everybody has to obey?

No! You should not have to choose between your faith and your study. You can be a good student and maintain your faith. This should be a basic human right.