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Original poster

School is asking children to say ‘peace be upon him’ anytime Mohammed is mentioned

518 replies

Kitkat189 · 15/02/2025 16:55

My child’s teacher asks the class to always say ‘peace be upon him’ if the prophet Muhammed is mentioned in RE, for example. Used in a sentence it would be something like ‘Muhammad peace be upon him is the founder of Islam’

The teacher explained that this is to show respect to the Muslims in the class.

This is the first time I’ve ever heard of this. Is there an expectation that non Muslims use this expression? Or is it more of a courtesy? I am guessing the latter?

And if it’s the former, should people be compelled to utter this phrase out of respect? To literally wish peace upon a prophet of a religion they don’t belong to? I realise this is not a problem for the majority of people but out of interest, would a devout follower of another religion have objections to this?

(This is year 6, teacher is not Muslim, there is one Muslim in the class whose family are pretty secular, he told the teacher he doesn’t use this expression himself.)

OP posts:
TheLette · 15/02/2025 19:45

I've never heard of this but think it's inappropriate. If the school was a Muslim school then fine, otherwise no. Also what's the deal for boys who have that as their name? Isn't it (and various spellings variations) one of the most popular UK boys' names now? Would they be addressed with pbuh every time someone says their name? Not trying to be awkward, just generally curious if it's literally any use of the name or only use of the name when referring to the actual prophet.

tillytoodles1 · 15/02/2025 19:43

I'm a Catholic, my late husband had a Jewish father.
I would never allowed my children to say that, it's a disgrace.

HRTQueen · 15/02/2025 19:42

Sounds like the teacher is trying a bit to hard

It’s a choice to acknowledge its important to Muslims to shiw this respect, Mohammed is not relevant to Christianity but Jesus is a prophet in Islam so why he is acknowledged

LoveFridaynight · 15/02/2025 19:40

LostittoBostik · 15/02/2025 17:01

I sat my GCSE religious studies in 1998 and that was the expectation then too... this is not new, it's the way the name is always written down in text.

I did my GCSE religious education in 1996; and we were never taught that. I have heard it very occasionally since then.

suburburban · 15/02/2025 19:33

CurlewKate · 15/02/2025 19:09

Why would it be an issue? I thought Mumsnetters were all about showing respect for religions. Or do you only want respect for Christianity?

I wouldn't be happy saying it

TheWombatleague · 15/02/2025 19:30

caringcarer · 15/02/2025 19:26

If DC are forced to say that phrase I disagree. Only Muslim DC should be asked to say it and then only if they want to. You can't force religion down everyone's throats.

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I agree, mostly, but you can force religion down everyone's throats. If religions didn't they would have died a natural death centuries ago.

Cleo65 · 15/02/2025 19:29

No....

Anonym00se · 15/02/2025 19:29

There’s some raging Islamophobia on this thread!

I remember having similar RE lessons in school almost forty years ago. We learned loads of stuff about Islam including how to perform a Muslim prayer. We had the same types of lessons for Judaism, Sikhism, Hinduism, etc. There was no attempt to indoctrinate us, merely to educate us about the beliefs and customs of other religions. Our school was 99% white British.

I’m agnostic but if I go to a church for a wedding or funeral, I’ll pray and sing hymns along with everyone else. It’s just basic respect.

Maybe if everyone was educated to understand others’ beliefs, there would be far more tolerance and respect and less fear and hatred in the world.

caringcarer · 15/02/2025 19:26

NeverDropYourMooncup · 15/02/2025 18:47

He isn't worshipped, any more than Christians worship John the Baptist or Ezekiel.

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If DC are forced to say that phrase I disagree. Only Muslim DC should be asked to say it and then only if they want to. You can't force religion down everyone's throats.

vi0letfemme · 15/02/2025 19:25

It's ok for children who practice the religion to say it but absolutely unreasonable to expect those of other religions or none to say it and it doesn't require children to say it in order for them to learn about the religion anymore than learning about Christianity requires people to cross themselves. Why should a child be forced to say something they don't believe in or agree with. That's not showing respect to children who don't follow the religion. Religion should never be forced on anyone, especially a child.

hazelnutvanillalatte · 15/02/2025 19:15

ZebedeeDougalFlorence · 15/02/2025 19:04

Who's "they"?. There is only one Muslim in the class whose parents are secular.

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The school

Upstartled · 15/02/2025 19:12

I expect my children to afford respect by learning about the beliefs that other people have, not participating in acts of deference to those religious beliefs.

CurlewKate · 15/02/2025 19:09

Why would it be an issue? I thought Mumsnetters were all about showing respect for religions. Or do you only want respect for Christianity?

ZebedeeDougalFlorence · 15/02/2025 19:04

ThejoyofNC · 15/02/2025 16:56

It would be a no from me. I doubt they'll show Christianity the same respect.

Who's "they"?. There is only one Muslim in the class whose parents are secular.

BlueSilverCats · 15/02/2025 19:03

HoraceCope · 15/02/2025 18:55

oh dont forget its half term so no school next week

Which also means the unit has ended and there will be no more "brainwashing " until y7.

LookSerious · 15/02/2025 19:02

I’d check with the school rather than with other parents who have also heard it from their child. I’ve never heard of children being made to say that so I’d be surprised if it was true.

TheFlis · 15/02/2025 18:59

Cryingatthegym · 15/02/2025 18:38

I'm white British and not religious in the slightest but I would always say PBUH if I happened to mention the prophet Muhammed, not that he comes up in conversation often. I thought it was just polite. This wouldn't bother me at all.

Me too. I’m white CofE and went to a predominantly white secondary school in the mid 90’s, I think there were 2 Muslims in my class? But we were taught by our RE teacher (also white Christian) that is was the polite and proper way to say his name so my brain just automatically adds it!

LondonPapa · 15/02/2025 18:59

Kitkat189 · 15/02/2025 16:55

My child’s teacher asks the class to always say ‘peace be upon him’ if the prophet Muhammed is mentioned in RE, for example. Used in a sentence it would be something like ‘Muhammad peace be upon him is the founder of Islam’

The teacher explained that this is to show respect to the Muslims in the class.

This is the first time I’ve ever heard of this. Is there an expectation that non Muslims use this expression? Or is it more of a courtesy? I am guessing the latter?

And if it’s the former, should people be compelled to utter this phrase out of respect? To literally wish peace upon a prophet of a religion they don’t belong to? I realise this is not a problem for the majority of people but out of interest, would a devout follower of another religion have objections to this?

(This is year 6, teacher is not Muslim, there is one Muslim in the class whose family are pretty secular, he told the teacher he doesn’t use this expression himself.)

As far as I’m aware, non-Muslims are not required to say PBUH. The teacher is being over top and I don’t recall being asked to say it in RE during my time at school.

Complain!

HoraceCope · 15/02/2025 18:58

Upstartled · 15/02/2025 18:57

It's not half term here.

where?

UrsulaLongshanksTheFlamingo · 15/02/2025 18:58

Moier · 15/02/2025 17:12

It's not on.. it's dystopian..
Reminds me of The Handmaids Tale.. when they have to say. .. Blessed be the Fruit etc.

Ew I'd forgotten they said that. It sure is a creepy book/series, that one. And "under his eye"... ew

Upstartled · 15/02/2025 18:57

It's not half term here.

HoraceCope · 15/02/2025 18:55

oh dont forget its half term so no school next week

BluebellsRinging · 15/02/2025 18:51

Walkingwithdinosaurs · 15/02/2025 18:07

Surely this is ok, isn’t the UK tolerant of the Muslim community? Our children say this in their school as the schools population is over 52% Muslim, it’s actually a Catholic school. They have been doing this for years or am I missing the point entirely??

A Catholic school is majority Muslim? How times have changed 🤨

BlueSilverCats · 15/02/2025 18:51

Upstartled · 15/02/2025 18:41

Do you remember when we had a tidal wave of finger waggers to berate op's for having concerns about the teaching of trans ideology in schools. It was a firewall of denial and then, of course, we all find out that it was true and was an increasingly common practice.

So excuse me if I afford some space to consider that this may be true and am not completely convinced by your claims that it doesn't happen but if it were true, you would be super cool with it anyway.

Edited

The thing is, Islam is at most one half term in the year. 6/7 lessons if nothing else interferes with it. Using a PowerPoint or teaching resource that used that form of address, or even using it herself, won't turn a child Muslim or Muhammed worshipper. Or suddenly make him believe Allah it's the one true God , out of all the religions they learn about, which include Christianity, Judaism, Sikhism, Buddhism , Hinduism.

The only one that gets "meaty" representation and is often stated as fact is Christianity. The others, it's a few weeks , once a year and they’re pretty boring tbh.

Plus, OP hasn't actually confirmed the teacher actively ASKED the children to use that address.

I had children claim all kinds of things happened at school(including my own), 99% of the time it was some kind of misunderstanding.

LastTrainsEast · 15/02/2025 18:51

RainingRoses · 15/02/2025 18:39

Or, it’s a difference in belief but fundamentally both religions believe he is the Messiah and that he will return. Isn’t it better to look at similarities rather than wedge through differences?

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Given that they are only stories I agree with you.

Of course if I thought my story actually came from the creator of the universe and that the distortions the other lot were introducing would take people away from worshipping him that would be another matter. (that works both ways of course)