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Original poster

Teacher told my child that child is not a Muslim

511 replies

Jkam24 · 10/09/2025 20:45

My daughter has recently started reception and asked me today if our family are Muslims, to which I said yes. She then started crying saying her teacher told her that she (my daughter) is not a Muslim. Is it unreasonable to be angry about this?

OP posts:
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terrafirma2025 · 15/09/2025 10:52

Jkam24 · 11/09/2025 12:12

Teacher said she did say it because she doesn't think children can have a religion. I didn't say much but will have a think on how to move forward - it's ok for her to think that but not for her to say it, but I am not looking to get her into trouble, rather to clarify that stating this out loud to a child is beyond her position.

To the rest of you - learn to articulate yourself without prejudices and swearing as you've just proved the point that such views exist. I wonder why people think it's ok to speak to people like shit and whether they would think it's ok to speak to someone in the same way face to face!

Edited

Shit is a swear word, btw.

anyolddinosaur · 15/09/2025 10:48

Why was the teacher even asking children about their religion? This seems an odd thing to be doing at all, even odder to then tell a child that she didnt believe them. The teacher needed to be told that her action had upset a child and she should keep that view to herself. However to immediately jump to this means she was islamophobic or has to be constantly monitored for future transgressions fuels racism.

PorridgeAndSyrup · 14/09/2025 18:38

Jkam24 · 11/09/2025 12:12

Teacher said she did say it because she doesn't think children can have a religion. I didn't say much but will have a think on how to move forward - it's ok for her to think that but not for her to say it, but I am not looking to get her into trouble, rather to clarify that stating this out loud to a child is beyond her position.

To the rest of you - learn to articulate yourself without prejudices and swearing as you've just proved the point that such views exist. I wonder why people think it's ok to speak to people like shit and whether they would think it's ok to speak to someone in the same way face to face!

Edited

This is a silly thing for her to say, because even if she’s right that young children can’t fully understand religion, it is simply a fact that your child is being raised as Muslim, religion is often as much a cultural thing too. So for example your child will be celebrating festivals that her non-Muslim classmates will not, etc.

MasterBeth · 13/09/2025 09:13

Jkam24 · 11/09/2025 12:12

Teacher said she did say it because she doesn't think children can have a religion. I didn't say much but will have a think on how to move forward - it's ok for her to think that but not for her to say it, but I am not looking to get her into trouble, rather to clarify that stating this out loud to a child is beyond her position.

To the rest of you - learn to articulate yourself without prejudices and swearing as you've just proved the point that such views exist. I wonder why people think it's ok to speak to people like shit and whether they would think it's ok to speak to someone in the same way face to face!

Edited

If the teacher admits she said it - to a 4 year old! - then you have a duty to take it further.

It is a denial of the child's religious and cultural identity and highly inappropriate - possibly professional misconduct.

MasterBeth · 13/09/2025 09:06

Champagneandpringles24 · 11/09/2025 19:50

Or people need to realise this is a Christian country.

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You need to realise that most people in this country are not Christians.

SweetnsourNZ · 13/09/2025 03:13

Jkam24 · 11/09/2025 12:12

Teacher said she did say it because she doesn't think children can have a religion. I didn't say much but will have a think on how to move forward - it's ok for her to think that but not for her to say it, but I am not looking to get her into trouble, rather to clarify that stating this out loud to a child is beyond her position.

To the rest of you - learn to articulate yourself without prejudices and swearing as you've just proved the point that such views exist. I wonder why people think it's ok to speak to people like shit and whether they would think it's ok to speak to someone in the same way face to face!

Edited

That is teacher's opinion and has nothing to do with your child or family. When it comes to religion it is up to parents to decide, whether you are Muslim. Aetheist or Pagan.

CaptainMyCaptain · 12/09/2025 20:45

cumbriaisbest · 12/09/2025 20:37

Yes and they've got better thigns to do that discuss Islam with a 4 year old.

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I was a teacher of young children for 30 years and we talked about all kinds of things although I don't remember a conversation about Islam. It doesn't have to be in depth but it's a way of building a relationship and I enjoyed it. Admittedly most of my career was before Academisation and teaching by script.

cumbriaisbest · 12/09/2025 20:37

CaptainMyCaptain · 12/09/2025 19:07

I wouldn't need to have taken long. Teachers do talk to children.

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Yes and they've got better thigns to do that discuss Islam with a 4 year old.

CaptainMyCaptain · 12/09/2025 19:07

cumbriaisbest · 12/09/2025 18:32

I can't understand how a teacher with 30 odd demanding children managed to have this conversation.

I wouldn't need to have taken long. Teachers do talk to children.

cumbriaisbest · 12/09/2025 18:35

Is this a state school? God help teachers...any God will do.

Petitchat · 12/09/2025 18:35

PurpleChrayn · 12/09/2025 17:36

My 4-year-old told me the teacher put her in a cage. They chat an awful lot of shite at that age. Just ignore.

But the teacher has admitted she said it...

cumbriaisbest · 12/09/2025 18:32

I can't understand how a teacher with 30 odd demanding children managed to have this conversation.

Petitchat · 12/09/2025 18:32

Manxexile · 12/09/2025 11:31

I'm not sure why so many posters seem to be jumping to the conclusion that the teacher must be Islamophobic and/or racist?

From what the OP has said the only conclusion(s) that can reasonably be drawn is that the teacher has an atheistic/agnostic/humanist/Dawkinsist point of view and doesn't believe (rightly or wrongly) that a 4 year old can have any religion - not just Islam

I think it can also be assumed that the teacher is a bit thick or missed out on a lot of their training.

(And before I get criticised this is only my third post on this thread and the OP "loved" my first post...)

Here's another "love" because I totally agree with you.
😊

CatrionaBalfour · 12/09/2025 17:53

PurpleChrayn · 12/09/2025 17:36

My 4-year-old told me the teacher put her in a cage. They chat an awful lot of shite at that age. Just ignore.

Read the updates. You can go on the OP and "see all" which is a quick way.

PurpleChrayn · 12/09/2025 17:36

My 4-year-old told me the teacher put her in a cage. They chat an awful lot of shite at that age. Just ignore.

Kohll · 12/09/2025 17:21

cumbriaisbest · 12/09/2025 16:23

I think that's a TV series isnt it?

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The series followed the characters from the original film. And the film was horrifically violent and racist, so much so that Stephen Graham talks about how difficult he found it to play the role in interviews. (Without spoiling the story, his behaviour doesn't involve telling someone they aren't a particular religion!)

cumbriaisbest · 12/09/2025 16:23

Champagneandpringles24 · 11/09/2025 20:16

My point is THIS IS ENGLAND

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I think that's a TV series isnt it?

TheJoyOfWriting · 12/09/2025 15:59

Champagneandpringles24 · 11/09/2025 18:59

Let's not forget this IS still a Christian Country. I wouldn't go to a school in Tutkey or any other school on any other country and critise any Muslim teacher because I chose to put my child in an education system that didn't meet or suit mine or my child's needs or religion. I'd go somewhere that did 🤷🏼‍♀️

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Would you be opposed to Jewish parents letting the teacher know that the child keeps kosher? Or Hindu parents saying child doesn't eat beef?

CatrionaBalfour · 12/09/2025 11:44

Your 3rd paragraph is spot on, @Manxexile . It's absolutely baffling why any teacher would actually do this, no matter what their personal beliefs.

Manxexile · 12/09/2025 11:31

I'm not sure why so many posters seem to be jumping to the conclusion that the teacher must be Islamophobic and/or racist?

From what the OP has said the only conclusion(s) that can reasonably be drawn is that the teacher has an atheistic/agnostic/humanist/Dawkinsist point of view and doesn't believe (rightly or wrongly) that a 4 year old can have any religion - not just Islam

I think it can also be assumed that the teacher is a bit thick or missed out on a lot of their training.

(And before I get criticised this is only my third post on this thread and the OP "loved" my first post...)

marnieMiaou · 12/09/2025 11:12

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MrsSkylerWhite · 12/09/2025 11:00

BloominNora · 11/09/2025 20:53

Yes - and before the Brexit nonsense when the racists lunatics took over the asylum, England was perceived as a tolerant multi-cultural society and quite a few of us would like that to be the case again!

The long journey of religious tolerance in this country started informally with Elizabeth 1st's 'Middle Way' in the 16th century, the readmittance of Jews in the 1650s and was first formalised by the 1689 Toleration Act.

From then on religious tolerance gradually increased until Catholic and non-christian religions gained formal emancipation in the 19th century.

In short, since the creation of the church of England, the country has been increasingly tolerant for significantly more time than it has been intolerant!

Perhaps if that is something you don't like then you should leave 🤷‍♀️

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Hear, hear.

MrsSkylerWhite · 12/09/2025 10:59

Onmytod24 · 11/09/2025 10:46

You really believe there’s no Islamophobic teachers in the UK? There’s just as many in the schools as there are people on this platform.

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I do find it hard to believe that someone would risk their career over something like that.

Petrolitis · 11/09/2025 22:57

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godmum56 · 11/09/2025 22:57

Newton161 · 11/09/2025 22:50

Religion causes way too many issues. I think keeping children out of it for as long as possible can only be a positive move.

I don’t want my DS sitting in Reception discussing religion. If people want to indoctrinate kids they can do it behind closed doors.

i don't think that is relevant. I respect your view and actually can see good arguments for it, but its not part of the job of a teacher to tell children that they have no religion or are not the same religion as their parents.