Muslim school in UK bans contact with 'outsiders'

Students are also not allowed to speak to the media, watch TV, listen to the radio or read newspapers

DEWSBURY, UNITED KINGDOM: A Muslim boarding school in the UK has banned its students from speaking to 'outsiders' and threatened to expel them if they mix with other children.

The students, boys aged 13-19, have been threatened with expulsion if they are found speaking to other children or the media. Further, they have also been barred from watching TV, listening to the radio or reading newspapers.

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The boarding school located in the Markazi Mosque compound in Dewsbury, West Yorkshire is one of the largest in the UK.

The school’s handbook lists items that students are not allowed to possess, such as, cameras, portable televisions, music players and mobile phones because they are considered to be ‘prohibited in Islam.’

Chairman of the school’s governing council, Shabbir Daji, said the school “works for unity”, but that its “policy is to keep away from the media”.

Despite introducing a tougher inspection policy, the school has received a ‘good’ rating by the government’s school inspection body.

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New inspection regulations were introduced in April in the wake of reports that hardline Muslims had attempted to take over schools. These regulations include a requirement that schools promote “fundamental British values.”

Last week, British Prime Minister David Cameron had stressed on integration and had urged British leaders to do more to promote British values.

This article originally appeared on Al Arabiya