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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:
Upstartled · 15/02/2025 18:15

It's not mindful or respectful - it's a sham.

Mopsy567 · 15/02/2025 18:13

This is one of those things that is very minor but is always going to get random people out with their pitchforks.

Yes, Muslims say it. No, Muslims do not expect everyone else to say it but the teacher was being MINDFUL and RESPECTFUL about another religion - remember when that was a thing?

For those people saying they would write to the head/ remove DC/ burn down the school or whatever, get a grip. The OPs DC are not going to come home wearing a burka.

Upstartled · 15/02/2025 18:11

SuperTrooper14 · 15/02/2025 18:10

My child’s teacher asks the class to always say ‘peace be upon him’ if the prophet Muhammed is mentioned in RE, for example.

So it's in the context of a lesson that teaches children about different religions and their customs? That's fine.

OP's deliberately baity heading on the other hand is not. It's got posters frothing and disparaging another religion, like kids are being forced to say it in the dinner queue or during PE, when they clearly aren't.

You realise that teaching religion, and asking children perform act of worship is different though, right?

Chunkychips23 · 15/02/2025 18:11

Winterwonders24 · 15/02/2025 18:05

You can respect without 'going through the motions': personally, I think not just going through the motions us more respectful

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My parents say grace before a meal. I’ll still show respect and partake. It matters to them. ‘Going through the motions’ is respectful to them. When visiting the Vatican I have ensured I am appropriately dressed. I have covered my hair and removed my shoes when visiting a mosque.

I think we have to agree to disagree on this one :)

Quercus30 · 15/02/2025 18:11

Winterwonders24 · 15/02/2025 18:05

You can respect without 'going through the motions': personally, I think not just going through the motions us more respectful

Show quote history

Yes but it's not just about respect. It's about learning. And learning is more memorable if you actively engage in the lesson. And so as a teacher, you provide opportunities for children to actively engage in their learning.

SuperTrooper14 · 15/02/2025 18:10

My child’s teacher asks the class to always say ‘peace be upon him’ if the prophet Muhammed is mentioned in RE, for example.

So it's in the context of a lesson that teaches children about different religions and their customs? That's fine.

OP's deliberately baity heading on the other hand is not. It's got posters frothing and disparaging another religion, like kids are being forced to say it in the dinner queue or during PE, when they clearly aren't.

SerendipityJane · 15/02/2025 18:10

Just because I don’t believe in something, doesn’t mean that I shouldn’t grant something with respect when in the presence of those who do.

My respect is based on people and how they act. Not some bollocks about how they are supposed to act (and rarely do).

I guess I'm weird.

Deargentlereader12 · 15/02/2025 18:10

Worlds gone mad!

HoraceCope · 15/02/2025 18:10

Endofyear · 15/02/2025 17:04

Have you spoken to the teacher? On the face of it, this seems batshit crazy - could your child perhaps misinterpreted what the teacher was saying?

i agree

LuluBlakey1 · 15/02/2025 18:09

It is all awful- making any child involve themselves in any religion in schoolis appalling. Teaching about religions is one thing- instructed chanting/prayer/ genuflecting or any 'practise' of a religion is unacceptable.Schools should be entirely secular.

SwerveCity · 15/02/2025 18:09

Absolutely no way.

cocoromo · 15/02/2025 18:09

Hard no.

SanctusInDistress · 15/02/2025 18:09

it sounds like the teacher is terrified of being seen to say or do the wrong thing which I understand in this day and age where everything seems to be offensive to everybody and it’s an absolute minefield. The other day I was accused of calling somebody fat because I commented that they looked quite squashed in the corner of the train and I offered to swap seat as I was in the aisle.

HoraceCope · 15/02/2025 18:09

i doubt the teacher actually said that,

SerendipityJane · 15/02/2025 18:09

I've been told by Muslim friends that they don't expect non Muslims to say PBUH when mentioning Muhammed.

If that were the case, it would have taken half an hour to say "Good morning" in some offices I have worked in.

Mrsdyna · 15/02/2025 18:08

Leave our kids alone. Did we lose a war that I don't know about?

RingoJuice · 15/02/2025 18:08

Chunkychips23 · 15/02/2025 18:03

Just because I don’t believe in something, doesn’t mean that I shouldn’t grant something with respect when in the presence of those who do.

As mentioned in a previous post, I was brought up in a very religious household. My Dad is a Reverend - we were brought up to respect everyone else’s religious beliefs, regardless of whether we believe it or not.

It’s something that is not a big deal to someone not religious, but shows respect and tolerance to those that do. Especially as the latter appears to be lacking a lot these days.

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That’s your choice.

For me, I’ll not respect a religion that does not respect me (as an atheist female)

Upstartled · 15/02/2025 18:07

Winterwonders24 · 15/02/2025 18:05

You can respect without 'going through the motions': personally, I think not just going through the motions us more respectful

Show quote history

Absolutely, playing at faith isn't respectful. Forcing people to play at faith isn't respectful.

I was an atheist at a CoE school, I just sat quietly through the prayers and didn't make a big fuss.

Mrsdyna · 15/02/2025 18:07

This is awful and so wrong!

HaddyAbrams · 15/02/2025 18:07

Chunkychips23 · 15/02/2025 17:27

They probably do. We were taught how to do that at primary school in the 90’s. In addition to paying respects to other religions.

My in-laws are Catholic and when I attend religious events with them, when prompted, I will make the sign of the cross. Literally seconds of my life to be respectful to someone else’s beliefs.

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I'd find it really odd, possibly even disrespectful, if my non Christian friends crossed themselves. Mind you, I'm a life long Christian and I don't ever do it because it's not generally a thing in the CofE. At least, not the ones I grew up attending.

I've been told by Muslim friends that they don't expect non Muslims to say PBUH when mentioning Muhammed.

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??

SernieBanders · 15/02/2025 18:07

Anonym00se · 15/02/2025 16:58

I wouldn’t have a problem with it. Muslims would also say pbuh after they mention Jesus as well.

Well Muslims can if they want, in fact anyone can if they want. No to compelled speech.

Winterwonders24 · 15/02/2025 18:05

Chunkychips23 · 15/02/2025 18:03

Just because I don’t believe in something, doesn’t mean that I shouldn’t grant something with respect when in the presence of those who do.

As mentioned in a previous post, I was brought up in a very religious household. My Dad is a Reverend - we were brought up to respect everyone else’s religious beliefs, regardless of whether we believe it or not.

It’s something that is not a big deal to someone not religious, but shows respect and tolerance to those that do. Especially as the latter appears to be lacking a lot these days.

Show quote history

You can respect without 'going through the motions': personally, I think not just going through the motions us more respectful

coldcallerbaiter · 15/02/2025 18:04

Anonym00se · 15/02/2025 16:58

I wouldn’t have a problem with it. Muslims would also say pbuh after they mention Jesus as well.

Yes, because Jesus is considered a prophet in Islam. It’s not the case the other way round.

It’s not a Christian or UK custom to do anything even for Jesus name. Some Christians mainly in the past used to bow their head at the name of Jesus.

Whotenanny · 15/02/2025 18:03

Absolute hard no from me. I'd write to the Head and probably the school governors as well. Stop this absolute nonsense.