High Court Upholds Michaela School's Prayer Ban

The ruling confirms the legality of the secular policy at Michaela Community School, emphasizing respect for the school's ethos while acknowledging indirect discrimination against Muslim students.

• Michaela Community School in London won a High Court case affirming its ban on prayer rituals, a policy introduced by headteacher Katharine Birbalsingh.
• The court's decision was based on the school's right to maintain a secular environment, despite arguments of religious discrimination.
• Critics argue the ban indirectly discriminates against Muslim students, who make up 50% of the school's population.
• Supporters, including Education Secretary Gillian Keegan, praise the ruling for reinforcing schools' authority to set their own policies on religious expressions.
• The case has sparked a broader debate on the balance between religious freedoms and educational policies in diverse communities.

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