Over the last week, there has been speculative reporting around an alleged incident at a Wakefield school involving the damage – wilful or otherwise – of the holy Qur’an. The subsequent response involving the local police has been clear that no crime has taken place.
However, without establishing the full facts, it would be irresponsible to respond to this speculation, and more than likely to create more division.
Unfortunately, many commentators from all sides including the Home Secretary, have ignored this common sense approach and have taken immediately to Social Media to comment on the issue, twisting a local issue from a school playground to fit pre-existing national agendas and ideologies.
The Muslim Council of Britain condemns any calls for violence and calls for cooler heads to prevail and for the local community – Muslims and non-Muslims – to come together and investigate the incident throughly, objectively and with mercy.
Schools should be safe spaces where we provide opportunities for young people to learn, grow and see the diversity of Britain.
We will, however, continue to monitor the situation, should any further information come to light.