A row over hijabs has reached a boiling point at an East London primary school, with the institution's leadership facing intense scrutiny after banning young Muslim girls from wearing headscarves. The decision sparked outrage among parents and community leaders, who claimed they were not consulted on the new policy.
The controversy surrounds St Stephen’s Primary School in Newham, where reports emerged of restrictions on children fasting during Ramadan alongside the hijab ban for girls under eight. Chair of governors Arif Qawi resigned following widespread criticism, saying he was “truly sorry” that his actions had harmed the school's reputation.
Mr Qawi's resignation came after a social media storm over comments perceived as Islamophobic, with some interpreting them as an attempt to justify the hijab ban. The Muslim Council of Britain’s assistant secretary general, Miqdaad Versi, described Mr Qawi's statements as “appalling” and welcomed his departure.
On Friday, St Stephen’s website announced that the school had reversed its policy with immediate effect. A note initially presented as a uniform update was later amended to highlight ongoing consultations with the community on the revised policy.
Miqdaad Versi expressed relief at the U-turn but urged the school leadership to address broader concerns about their handling of Muslim students' issues, suggesting potential discrimination. Conversely, activist Amina Lone lamented what she saw as a “terribly sad day for secular democracy”, given her own advocacy for banning hijabs in schools.
Newham councillors had earlier condemned the initial decision, describing it as a “toxic atmosphere” that alienated the school from its community. While the Department for Education remains neutral on uniform policies, local leaders are demanding greater transparency and consultation with parents on such matters.