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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:
blacksax · 20/02/2025 22:11

FullFiveFathom · 15/02/2025 17:07

Or her kid maybe.
We are atheists but my kid goes to Catholic school. She is still in her first year, so very small but she’s under the impression Jesus was akin to a Marvel superhero.
She asked me did I know Jesus could fly and that god created the dinosaurs. Tbf she then showed me a picture in her religious text book about the creation and there was a picture of dinosaurs on it 🤦‍♀️

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I'd be whipping my child out of that school pronto.

Dkdndndw · 20/02/2025 22:08

ChiefClerkDrumknott · 20/02/2025 22:06

Why should they speak respectfully about any religious figures?

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Why ever not? Why do people have an issue respecting other's religions and beliefs?

ChiefClerkDrumknott · 20/02/2025 22:06

OldChinaJug · 15/02/2025 17:37

I include it (PBUH) on PowerPoint presentations on Islam in RE, explain why it is said, and say it if im reading from the PowerPoint but only the Muslim children say it ordinarily and I don't say it at other times.

Non Muslim children are not required to say it but they must speak about him respectfully as they would speak respectfully about all religious figures.

I checked.

I didn't check because I had a problem with it but we were looking at photocopied examples of Islamic art in one lesson and one of the children told me it was disrespectful to throw the calligraphy away because it contained Allah's name. So I always check.

Edited

Why should they speak respectfully about any religious figures?

blubberyboo · 20/02/2025 22:02

Allwillbewell2 · 16/02/2025 11:10

Do atheists not use the expression Rest in Peace? - genuinely interested. I'm Catholic and wouldn't have a problem with it, I do wish peace on Mohammed I wish peace for everyone. If the teacher was getting them to recite the Shahadah then I would have an issue but this is literally saying for someone who died a long time ago to be at peace - isn't it?

No atheists don't believe there is a soul hanging about in purgatory waiting for judgement day. So there is nowhere for this soul to be "peacefully resting"
A lot of Protestants don't use the phrase either as they don't believe in purgatory

Atheists would not use phrases such as Amen or PBWH either as they are religious phrases. I would very strongly object to my child being asked by a teacher to recite any such ritual

Dkdndndw · 20/02/2025 21:58

I remember when DS was in year 7 (at a grammar school) and doing RS. His documents about islam had pbuh in brackets when refering to the prophet.

Kendodd · 20/02/2025 21:48

Ponderingwindow · 20/02/2025 20:14

There are still people following the Hellenic religion, and Norse religions. Just because it is a small population doesn’t mean they deserve less consideration than a dominant religion.

this is my point about respect vs neutrality. Some religions are treated with respect and some are treated as myths and fairy tales. Schools and society should not be allowed to pick and choose.

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Good point.
They are all myths imo

Kendodd · 20/02/2025 21:40

Are you sire the teacher isn't taking the piss?

mimichitchat93 · 20/02/2025 21:37

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NeverDropYourMooncup · 20/02/2025 21:26

Ponderingwindow · 20/02/2025 20:14

There are still people following the Hellenic religion, and Norse religions. Just because it is a small population doesn’t mean they deserve less consideration than a dominant religion.

this is my point about respect vs neutrality. Some religions are treated with respect and some are treated as myths and fairy tales. Schools and society should not be allowed to pick and choose.

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There aren't enough New Age/Wiccans/Asatru/Pagans to justify a chunk of the curriculum based upon major world religions, followed by billions, being devoted to them. However, the belief systems that contributed hugely to modern civilisations are still being respected by teaching what is necessary for children to acquire cultural capital as well as understanding history.

It can also be included in RE - along with others that are not so Eurocentric - as examples of creation stories (and explains the use of the name Hades in Christianity). I don't see it as insulting to give examples of creation stories from multiple cultures - especially as three major ones share the same one.

Dkdndndw · 20/02/2025 20:57

SerendipityJane · 20/02/2025 20:42

I would treat belief's religious beliefs with respect.

I treat religions with respect as far as they respect me

I wouldn't intentionally scuff up a bible or a Koran of a copy of the Vedas.

Not really fan of book burnings myself ...

"As far as they respect you?"- what do you mean by that?

SerendipityJane · 20/02/2025 20:42

I would treat belief's religious beliefs with respect.

I treat religions with respect as far as they respect me

I wouldn't intentionally scuff up a bible or a Koran of a copy of the Vedas.

Not really fan of book burnings myself ...

Dkdndndw · 20/02/2025 20:28

I would treat belief's religious beliefs with respect. Like I wouldn't intentionally scuff up a bible or a Koran of a copy of the Vedas.

Ponderingwindow · 20/02/2025 20:14

NeverDropYourMooncup · 20/02/2025 08:43

Like the difference between current affairs and history or a lesson about lions and elephants compared to one about dinosaurs.

One has people who currently observe the faith, the other doesn't.

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There are still people following the Hellenic religion, and Norse religions. Just because it is a small population doesn’t mean they deserve less consideration than a dominant religion.

this is my point about respect vs neutrality. Some religions are treated with respect and some are treated as myths and fairy tales. Schools and society should not be allowed to pick and choose.

SerendipityJane · 20/02/2025 08:52

NeverDropYourMooncup · 20/02/2025 08:43

Like the difference between current affairs and history or a lesson about lions and elephants compared to one about dinosaurs.

One has people who currently observe the faith, the other doesn't.

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Rather underscores the fact that faith is all madey up bollocks then.

Or should that be all faith is madey up bollocks ?

NeverDropYourMooncup · 20/02/2025 08:43

Ponderingwindow · 20/02/2025 02:18

So the gods and stories of the Hellenic religion are consigned to the myths and legends curriculum in English class? Yet the same types of figures and stories are supposed to be treated differently in another.

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Like the difference between current affairs and history or a lesson about lions and elephants compared to one about dinosaurs.

One has people who currently observe the faith, the other doesn't.

BlueSilverCats · 20/02/2025 08:39

@Ponderingwindow I didn't make the curriculum or write the stories or labelled them as such world wide. There are also Norse and Roman myths and legends.

lentilbake16 · 20/02/2025 08:35

Returni · 19/02/2025 19:16

Don’t believe this tbh

Don't believe what? Any of it?

Ponderingwindow · 20/02/2025 02:18

BlueSilverCats · 19/02/2025 22:48

we are in class discussing the greek gods. Are they presented as myth? Why or why not?

Is it in English class as part of the myths and legends part of the curriculum?Grin

So the gods and stories of the Hellenic religion are consigned to the myths and legends curriculum in English class? Yet the same types of figures and stories are supposed to be treated differently in another.

BlueSilverCats · 19/02/2025 22:48

we are in class discussing the greek gods. Are they presented as myth? Why or why not?

Is it in English class as part of the myths and legends part of the curriculum?Grin

Ponderingwindow · 19/02/2025 22:43

Pinkbirds · 19/02/2025 22:03

Absolutely not. This is just being obtuse for the sake of it. I honestly have no idea how you can come to this conclusion.
you can disagree with anything but you only really get credit or make your point valid if you do it respectfully and with facts. How on earth this makes the point they are arguing against legitimate is beyond me.
you wouldn’t say a defence lawyer in a court of law who argued their point respectfully and factually was making the prosectors evidence legitimate

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I feel like we are talking past one another. What arguments are there to have?

For the issue of respect vs neutrality, I ask the following.

we are in class discussing the greek gods. Are they presented as myth? Why or why not?

BluebellsRinging · 19/02/2025 22:09

Dkdndndw · 19/02/2025 18:41

Exactly. I'm not a Muslim. But everyone acts as if Muslim women are oppressed.

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😂

Oh sorry, you weren’t joking.

Pinkbirds · 19/02/2025 22:03

Ponderingwindow · 19/02/2025 19:18

Why respect? Why not just neutrality?
There are people that believe this. There are people who believe that. Respect implies a certain degree of legitimacy to beliefs.

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Absolutely not. This is just being obtuse for the sake of it. I honestly have no idea how you can come to this conclusion.
you can disagree with anything but you only really get credit or make your point valid if you do it respectfully and with facts. How on earth this makes the point they are arguing against legitimate is beyond me.
you wouldn’t say a defence lawyer in a court of law who argued their point respectfully and factually was making the prosectors evidence legitimate

Thisandthatandthensome · 19/02/2025 19:20

How odd. I assume in the UK and therefore unlikely, although depends where you live, that every child in the class is Muslim. Very forced and incorrect to make non believers take part in nonsense.

Ponderingwindow · 19/02/2025 19:18

Pinkbirds · 19/02/2025 18:44

I’m was an RE teacher for a decade and I’m shocked by the responses. I don’t know if it’s ignorance or the worry of Islam but really I’m surprised at how upset people are being.

This thread is an excellent example of why religion needs to be taught and discussed in schools.
Now the thread is talking about apparent banning of Christmas and head coverings 🙄

In Islam PBUH is used after the prophets name. I imagine it was taught as this and not that kids have to say it. Maybe it was a misunderstanding, but it seems like such a storm in a tea cup.

It would be a perfect topic for a lesson. The beauty of teaching RE is that you don’t have to agree with each other and you can be critical BUT the key is to be able to argue your opinion with respect and facts.

Why respect? Why not just neutrality?
There are people that believe this. There are people who believe that. Respect implies a certain degree of legitimacy to beliefs.

Returni · 19/02/2025 19:16

Don’t believe this tbh