11-year old Muslim student Mohamed Bouckhachakhe was expelled from the Protestant Christian elementary school in Rotterdam. The school claims the expulsion was because of Mohamed’s systematic behavior, having “problems in class situations and conflicts regarding the identity aspects of the school”. In addition, the school claims that because Mohamed “wants to be a good Muslim, (he) doesn’t want to participate in activities when teachers ask that” and “uses denigrating and threatening language against teachers and members of the administration.”
The boy’s father said that the child’s religious beliefs were not respected, and that he was singled out for not participating in the Christian prayers, while sitting quietly and waiting patiently. Mohamed was first suspended for two days but since he did not agree with the suspension, the boy still showed up to school.
The school then claimed that Mohamed’s older brothers threatened the principal, but the boy’s family denies the accusations.
The parents called in the anti-discrimination agency Radar and the national Equal Treatment Commission. Both bodies said the case was exceptionally interesting and the investigation was more than worthwhile. Meanwhile, the Christian school is attempting to find Mohamed an alternate school.
