Teacher told my child that child is not a Muslim

[Jkam24]

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?

@SemperIdem quite literally semper idem you lot. Reading comprehension is key. Goodnight 👋🏽

@Jkam24 I am so very sorry you are being subjected to such hostility from some people on this thread. I find these comments very disturbing and I really hope this hostility to Muslims is not something shared widely by MN users. Seriously ikk.

It didn't happen. Why would a teacher have this conversation with your child. Child misunderstood.

What and why did you find it offensive? And what was the point of you mentioning your son goes to a catholic school and he is atheist - is this meant to make a point?

Because it's the same as shouting bacon at Muslims

Im asking why someone would get offended if someone tells them something is ‘haram’ for them? Why is that offensive? Would you get offended if a Jewish person said they eat kosher food? Also, I don’t know a single Muslim person who gets offended when you shout bacon at them- it’s a word. lol. Also why would you shout bacon in anyone’s faces. Your post is odd.

Ah ok. You’re a disingenuous poster, not really here to engage in anything productive, so won’t waste my time responding. Ta.

No I'm literally telling you why people have an issue.

My child would be taught it's ok for others to be gay (assuming my child isn't gay) and if he's not gay that's ok as well. However Muslims are teaching their children it's haram to be gay. So that's the issue.

If she asked you if she's Muslim then maybe during a lesson where being Muslim was mentioned she asked the teacher if she was, and due to asking the teacher assumed she wasn't?

But why on eaeth woukd a teacher go up to a Muslim child and tell her sge wasnt a Muslim. It is just so implausible, even if she was a racist why would she say it. It doesn't make sense! Given this why would you take the wird if a 4 year old wgo doesn't even appear to know herself what religion she is. It*s quite offensive to even question something so ridiculous.

They don't tend to teach religion at that age

Nothing to add but wanted to congratulate you @Jkam24 on the excellence of your intellect and your values. 👊

"The point is does a teacher have a right to decide any which way about a child's religious background or inform her she isn't of any religion during to her age?"

No

They wouldn't and they obviously didn't.

I agree that calling a four-year-old child a "Muslim" makes no more sense than calling them a "logical positivist" or "instrumental rationalist" or whatever else their parents might subscribe to.

But just as it's expecting too much for such a child to understand such things, actually telling them "you're not a Muslim" would be equally inappropriate.

Just ask the teacher what she really said, no need for a goady mumsnet thread.

Chances are your kid got it wrong, she's very young. If she really said that you can deal with it and update us later.

@Jkam24 why would this make your daughter cry though?

according to your 4yo

• the teacher said she’s not Muslim - she asks you if she’s Muslim - you say yes - she cries.

why would this make her cry?

inference that the teacher’s comment (if it was said as 4yo reported) has an offensive undertone is not a concept a 4yo would have.

I genuinely can’t understand why she’d cry?

surely it would be a case of her saying ‘why did x say this cos they are wrong and I am Muslim and I like being Muslim because we do X together ‘ or whatever variation. I can’t see how it would be emotional and lead to immediate tears for a 4yo?

And yes I have no doubt there are awful comments made in all aspects of society around all religions across the country / world. But this specific conversation and reaction makes no sense, EVEN if the teacher made the remark.

Genuine question, not specifically about the OP’s concern, but how do teachers manage speaking to up to 30 parents at drop off, unplanned and with a class of 4 year olds to manage?

ofc not all 30 parents will need a 5-10 minute conversation, but even if 10% of them do - where’s X jumper - x can’t do Pe they hurt their leg - x grandparent unwell and may mention something - x doesn’t like his reading books - x is finding playtime hard.

Raising anything like these questions is not unreasonable but simply where does the time come from for teachers to do it?!

Please let us know how the conversation with her teacher goes. I'm interested to know why she said this.

Rather than automatically jumping to being "angry" why don't you instead start by being "puzzled" and investigate?

That is so funny.
My DS's teacher had heard that I liked giving men lots of beer.

I worked in a pub 😁

Ours learnt religion from reception, I think it's part of the curriculum isn't it?

I doubt very much the teacher has said that. What would be her motivation? I don't think the child is lying either, I'm sure it's just a misunderstanding.

They learn about religions but it's a light touch in Reception. Reception are following Early Years Guidelines not the National Curriculum and it's all about respecting other people's opinions and beliefs, not just religious ones.

Doesn't hurt to check in a polite manner