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

[Kitkat189]

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.)

Absolutely not. This is completely inappropriate.

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

This is absolute nonsense. The teacher is ignorant.

That’s extreme tbh not even all Muslims do it and I think it is weird and tbh a bit aggressive to ask non-Muslims to do it. I think you should have a conversation about it with the school, shit like this needs to be nipped in the bud.

I've taught secondary RE (I'm not a practising member of any faith) and never, ever asked the children to do this. It's fine for her to tell them that many Muslims say this if they say the prophet's name, but I wouldn't be happy about her compelling their speech in this way.

No way

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

I’ve heard it said before, by Muslims. Could the teacher have said that this is what is done by some people, rather than demanding it is done every time in school?

This sounds political rather than educational.
Not appropriate.

Nope!! Absolutely not.

No no and no.

theres a difference between making students aware of what other groups do, and forcing kids in the class to do it too.

The teacher is being an idiot. Tell your child to ignore them.

Really? A fuss about nothing. How long do they spend on Islam?

I would complain to the head of school. Forcing all children to say this is inappropriate and disrespectful to those of different faiths or no faith at all.
Absolutely outrageous!

I'd mention it to the school tbh. Sounds like they are well-intentioned but completely clueless.

That would be a hard no from me

Ditto to everything here!

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 would also raise with the head/governors.

Exactly right

This is usually in text, not speech. Has the OP got the wrong end of the stick?

I'd be raising a complaint.

I'd contact the school but frame it as "DC has obviously misunderstood as this would clearly be inappropriate so could you please clarify with them?"

If teacher doubles down then make a proper complaint.

I'd be speaking to the school about that. Yes, some Muslims do say it and it would be fine if the teacher mentioned it. But to have all the children say it, no that's wrong.

Jesus Christ on a bike .. 🤨🤨🤨