A school in western Germany has asked its teachers to report Muslim students who are found praying, with authorities branding the practice “provocative.” The move sparked debate on social media – some users say the country lies about religious freedom.
The incident took place in Gymnasium Johannes Rau in the city of Wuppertal, North Rhine-Westphalia state, and was first reported by Der Westen newspaper on Thursday.
The paper released a letter written by school authorities to the teachers.
“In the last few weeks, it has increasingly been observed that Muslim students are praying, quite visibly to others, indicated by ritual washing in the bathrooms, the rolling out of prayer rugs, and by the students putting their bodies in certain positions. That is not permitted,” the letter stated.
The staff was asked to “identify the names” and “report” them to the school administration. The letter also states that such students should get a “friendly reminder” that it’s not permitted and that breaches will be reported.
The measure was later confirmed by government authority in the state capital of Düsseldorf, Der Westen reported. The authority said that the letter was sent to teachers February 16 and concerns “provocative prayers” of the school students. Thus, the school management took measures, it added.
“The ban on praying in a provocative manner in public school spaces is supposed to encourage peaceful coexistence and assure school peace,” the authority said.
The measure was introduced “since several teachers and students felt themselves under pressure due to the behavior of the classmates,” local district council Dagmar Gross told Deutsche Welle said.
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