On Friday the 1st of March about 600 Muslim children from the ages of 4-11 years old were withdrawn from Parkfield community school, by parents and guardians, in Saltley, Birmingham, for one day, the school would not confirm numbers. The children from reception age all the way up to six were being taught five “No Outsiders” lessons a year, each one covering topics to meet requirements in the Equality Act, which include lessons on LGBTQ equality. The children were withdrawn over concerns around the content of some lessons and whether they are age appropriate.

Parent Fatima Shah was first to raise the issue, she explains that there are concerns about whether the content is age appropriate and that children have been getting confused.

“We are not a bunch of homophobic mothers,” she said. “We just feel that some of these lessons are inappropriate. Some of the themes being discussed are very adult and complex and the children are getting confused.

“They need to be allowed to be children rather than having to constantly think about equalities and rights.”

Parent Maqsood Hussain said:

“We have no discrimination against people of transgender or LGBTQ+ persuasion, we as a community are very welcoming”.

“But our children and the ages they are actually providing this material is inappropriate.”

The school’s ethos is to promote LGBTQ+ equality and challenge homophobia in primary schools through teaching them about homosexuality but the lessons have now been stopped, parents claim it was not education but “an indoctrination of gay and transgender lifestyles”. As the issue developed a letter was sent to parents from the board trustee who runs the school who confirmed that after a meeting between Andrew Warren, the regional school’s commissioner for the West Midlands, parents, the trust, and Liam Byrne MP, it was decided that a full consultation would take place with parents.

The letter states:

“The discussions were a helpful first step and identified the key issues that are concerning parents, including the ethos, the books, the age appropriateness, the lessons and the assemblies. The agreed outcome of the meeting was the need to have a discussion with the school community about the No Outsiders curriculum and how it should be delivered.”

The school have also responded publically to an article published by the Guardian and called it misleading.

We are concerned this headline is misleading. Parent meetings/ workshops are soon to begin and our no outsiders work continues #communitycohesion #everyonewelcomehttps://t.co/SCfUlmJMj4

— Parkfield Community (@ParkfieldSchool) March 4, 2019

Many have supported the unity of the Muslim parents and expressed that parents should be consulted and that a breach of parental rights has occurred whilst others are worried about the message this sends to parents and children who may identify as LGBTQ+ at the school and surrounding area.

What are your thoughts? If you’d like to write for Amaliah.com on the topic please email contribute@amaliah.com

Are you a Muslim Parent at Parkfield? Would you like to write about the response and situation?

Birmingham school stops LGBT lessons. 600 children withdrawn from Parkfield community school by Muslim parents who object to lessons mentioning same-sex love & families (despite the fact that some of their own children will be LGBT & will need support)
https://t.co/KpkFPfYcGd

— Peter Tatchell (@PeterTatchell) March 4, 2019

Well done Muslim Parents of Parkfield Community School for taking your children out of school in protest the 'Sex Curriculum involving some children of 5yrs of age. Well done parents. It's crazy and stupid. I'm Christian but may your God be with you.

— Trevor Wynne Jones (@Treviej) March 1, 2019

Disgraceful behaviour from parents. They're literally protesting a program that supports equality. Not brainwashing, just teaching children to respect eachother. Parents should be ashamed of themselves #Parkfield #NoOutsiders https://t.co/Yf4Ea4D9P6

— Kayleigh M (@KayleiMarie) March 4, 2019

Great to see such courageous parents who will not put up with forced brainwashing of their children.
Imagine if in Iran today Christians were forced to adopt Muslim values – can you imagine the frenzied response of the Western media & leaders !!#parkfield community school.

— Fazle Chowdhury (@fazlekarim007) March 2, 2019

BBC News – Pupils kept home from Birmingham Parkfield LGBT row school | Utterly stupid. There are as many Muslim LGBT people than non-Muslim LGBT. https://t.co/yD01BjOaVQ

— Monica Nieminen 🌱🇬🇧🇪🇺 (@monicanieminen) March 1, 2019

Now a whole new generation of ignorant bigots will be created by their parents and religious leaders. Grow a spine, Parkfield. Be on the right side of history and stand up for what is right.https://t.co/ewaZv7aWcl

— Charlie Hides TV (@charliehidestv) March 4, 2019

Stop 'No Outsiders' campaign. Parents of Parkfield School withdraw children from school ON MASS – More than 80% ( more than 600 out of 738) Children Withdrawn over undermining of parental rights.@LiamByrneMP @ParkfieldSchool @Cllr_IanWard @mariamkhan29 @AlumRockCF pic.twitter.com/ZHBPkOyD7i

— Mo Aslam (@moaslam88) March 1, 2019