School threatens legal action after Muslim girl told skirt is ‘too long’

The parents of a Muslim girl have been threatened with court action because their daughter refuses to wear a knee-length skirt to school.

Siham Hamud, 12, has been wearing an ankle-length skirt to school for years but teachers allegedly told her it was incorrect school uniform last month.

Her father Idris Hamud, 55, said she was sent home from school to change every day in December, and told to come back wearing the correct uniform. But she refused because it was “against her religious beliefs,” he said.

Uxbridge High School, in Hillingdon, west London, says girls should wear black trousers or a black pleated skirt from official uniform suppliers – which the family claims falls above the knee.

Mr Hamud said both uniform choices contravened the family’s strict religious beliefs.

The school sent the father-of-eight and his wife Salma Yusuf, 44, a letter threatening legal action over “unauthorised absences” as a result of Siham being sent home from school.

It said: “Siham’s absence is being recorded as unauthorised. Unauthorised absence may result in a fine being issued, or legal action being taken against the adults who have parental responsibility or day-to-day care of your child.

“Legal action can be in the form of a penalty notice or a summons to the magistrates’ court.

“I must ask that you support the school and your daughter by ensuring that she attends school in full school uniform with immediate effect.”

Siham, who is currently studying from home because of coronavirus lockdown restrictions, said: “It feels like bullying because of what I believe.

Source: The Guardian UK