Anger at appointment of muslim at C of E school -7/11/03

Society Religion & Philosophy
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The appointment of a Muslim as headteacher of a Church of England primary school has been criticised by a prominent member of the clergy.

The Rev George Curry, a trustee of the Christian Institute, a charity which has supported the right of Christian schools and organisations to disciminate in favour of Christians in employment decisions, condemned the appointment of Rehana Serij-Allan insisting that only a Christian could uphold the religious ethos of a C of E school.

Mr Curry said: “The decision beggars belief. Experience teaches us that the only way to uphold the Christian ethos is to appoint a Christian."

“If you are at a Church of England school you need someone to provide education in the context of the Christian world view, and it seems to me a basic requirement is that they are Christian,” he told the Western Daily Press.

But governors at Easton Church of England Voluntary Aided Primary School in Bristol defended the decision stating that Mrs Serij-Allan was the best candidate for the job.

Chairman of the governors Richard Winn said: “She is very professional and has an excellent track record. We need someone who is very skillful to raise standards at the school and we believe she is the right person for the job.”

He acknowledged that there were some members of the Church of England who disapproved of the appointment of a Muslim to the job, but insisted Mrs Serij-Allan would uphold the Christian ethos of the school.

“She has a wide knowledge of the Christian faith and she is prepared to support and uphold the ethos of the school,” Mr Winn added.

Mrs Serij-Allan also has the support of the Bishop of Bristol, the Rt Rev Mike Hill.

A spokesman for the Bishop said: “The Bishop is fully behind this appointment and backs the school governors’ view that Mrs Serij-Allan is the best candidate for the job.

“She has assured us that she is both willing and able to maintain the Christian ethos of the school.”

She is due to take up the post in January 2004.

Comment: Do you agree with the protestors? Would you have replied differently if the issue was reversed, with a christian Principal to an Islam aided school?

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islam aided school? you mean madrissah? well first they won't even recognize madrissah as a legitimate teaching center as 99% madarris are considered as place for terrorists to teach and spread hatred against the so-called civilized world [mostly western]. second why a christian would go and get himself/herself appointed to a maddrisah unless their aim is to convert the students to christianity. that won't be difficult for them as these days christianity is more attractive and popular than poor islam which for now is cornered like a sheep fighting for its survival.

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It depends upon the "constitution" of the school. If it allows ANYONE to get that position than protestors are wrong they should move to change the constitution first. If constitution of the school does not allow then protestors are right and the person in question should not be given the position which has raised concerns.

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[QUOTE]
*Originally posted by ZaiN_12345: *
islam aided school? you mean madrissah? well first they won't even recognize madrissah as a legitimate teaching center as 99% madarris are considered as place for terrorists to teach and spread hatred against the so-called civilized world [mostly western]. second why a christian would go and get himself/herself appointed to a maddrisah unless their aim is to convert the students to christianity. that won't be difficult for them as these days christianity is more attractive and popular than poor islam which for now is cornered like a sheep fighting for its survival.
[/QUOTE]

No re...not a madrassa...

Like lets say a Catholic school or a convent school. Or are you suggesting that the equivalent does not exist in the islamic world?

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[QUOTE]
*Originally posted by Toddytapper: *
No re...not a madrassa...

Like lets say a Catholic school or a convent school. Or are you suggesting that the equivalent does not exist in the islamic world?
[/QUOTE]

Refer to my msg above. If their School's constitution is okay with it then they should not have any problem otherwise they should change their constitution.

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Toddy tapper

I would nto have an issue, as a matter of fact a muslim parochial school closeby has several non muslims on its staff. The person incharge for curriculum development was a christian.

The school is not aided by any muslim group, but depends on the muslim community.

I would not have a problem with a non muslim running such a school. As long as the school is doing good, it is keeping in line with its mission, it matters little what the faith of the principal is. I suppose a bigger issue should be with the actual teachers who have direct daily interaction with students.

the non muslims who have been teaching at that school have been there for a number of years and the students, parents, administration or the trustees have not made an issue out of it...because they are good teachers and they are doing their job well.

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[QUOTE]
*Originally posted by Fraudz: *
Toddy tapper

Church of England primary school
[/QUOTE]

So there is just one word for this - "paranoia"

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Where Muslims in the west are becoming chairs of their departments of universities etc, such little things shouldnt even matter anymore...