Muslim student claims teacher in Australia compared him to 9/11 attackers

Teenager alleges he was asked if he was trying to imitate 9/11 attackers when he wore Islamic garb to school event

A Muslim high school student has alleged his teacher in Brisbane, Australia compared him to 9/11 attackers, The Guardian reported.

The 16-year-old student at Runcorn state high school alleged one of his teachers asked him last Thursday if he was trying to imitate those involved in the 2001 US terrorist attacks when he wore an Islamic garb to a school sports day.

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The student was sent to the school principal, Roger Atkins, who sent him back home to change the dress after being told he was dressed inappropriately.

The Islamic Council of Queensland is considering lodging a complaint with the Queensland anti-discrimination commissioner over the treatment allegedly meted out to the 16-year-old boy.

Terming both, the alleged slur on the teenager and the school’s response to the incident, unacceptable, ICQ spokesperson Ali Kadri said Atkins in a meeting with ICQ representatives had conceded after the incident that “in hindsight he should have done things differently”.

Read: Hijab-wearing Muslim student voted best-dressed at US school

However, the principal denied the teacher made the comment and the school has also refused ICQ’s request for a letter of apology to the family.

Further, Kadri said the teenager would provide his account of the incident in a complaint to state anti-discrimination commissioner Kevin Cocks.

A spokesperson for Queensland education department said it was “aware of a complaint arising from free dress day at Runcorn state high school”.

“As a consequence, the principal is working with the family, school community and cultural leaders to ensure all concerns are resolved,” he said.

“The school wants to ensure all students feel accepted and supported at school.”

This article originally appeared on The Guardian.