That headmaster needs his arse kicked. Why should kids who have no religious or cultural issues have to miss out? If I was a parent there, I'd be pretty pissed off too.
He can apologise all he likes but unless the head comes out in the open and elaborates on his decision to stop the kids watching the eclipse directly he's going to be open to criticism. He'd better have a pretty good reason too.
Have any other schools across the country followed suit?
I remember when I was a youngster in India, there was a a full eclipse of the Sun. The Indians (hindus) at the time all crouched on the ground so as not to see it. From what I remember, they considered it really unlucky.
However, I was also with some well-educated Indians at the same time too, one of whom was a professor, and he took great delight in watching it, and talking through some physics
Is this an anti Muslim thread by chance ? Surely not.
According to the article in the Evening Standard, the headteacher 'refused to say which religions and cultures have concerns about observing eclipses directly.'
Weird story, though. It was fine yesterday, but this morning, at which point it was already overcast, the guy suddenly decides they can't, and then says "they wouldn't have been able to see it anyway". Why not just go with the "you wouldn't be able to see it anyway" thing once he'd changed his mind this morning so as not to look like a dick? I'd love to hear his reasoning.
According to the article in the Evening Standard, the headteacher 'refused to say which religions and cultures have concerns about observing eclipses directly.'
This muslim parent doesn't seem to have a problem with it.
Khairoe Islam, whose son goes to the school, said: 'I'm Muslim myself and in my religion it doesn't say we can't watch it.
'I don't know anything about it but if they say it's because of religion maybe they could have spoken to those people who had a problem and let the other kids enjoy it.
'It shouldn't be spoiled for the rest of the school.'
Ridiculous to ban all the kids from watching it. Just allow the superstitious ones to stay indoors and allow everyone else to watch it. Or is that too simple and straightforward?
I started this thread in exasperation at the headteacher's decision. You would think that, given our understanding of the world, space and the universe has come a long way since the 1500's (for example), that a decision like this can still be made in 2015!
Was it really for religious reasons? Or was it more because looking at an eclipse directly is hazardous and therefore against health and safety?
Well not according to the statement the head is said to have made. Whether that is accurate or not who knows. If he did say it he should be made to answer for such nonsense.
renard gris
Posts: 1,038 
Comments
Have any other schools across the country followed suit?
I remember when I was a youngster in India, there was a a full eclipse of the Sun. The Indians (hindus) at the time all crouched on the ground so as not to see it. From what I remember, they considered it really unlucky.
However, I was also with some well-educated Indians at the same time too, one of whom was a professor, and he took great delight in watching it, and talking through some physics
Had it not been for the links people would deny that this happened so I'm glad it made the news..
Not that I can see so why ask?
According to the article in the Evening Standard, the headteacher 'refused to say which religions and cultures have concerns about observing eclipses directly.'
I merely asked ? If it is I will stay clear
Sometimes they are a bit stealthy and cunning.
http://islamqa.info/en/5901
This muslim parent doesn't seem to have a problem with it.
Khairoe Islam, whose son goes to the school, said: 'I'm Muslim myself and in my religion it doesn't say we can't watch it.
'I don't know anything about it but if they say it's because of religion maybe they could have spoken to those people who had a problem and let the other kids enjoy it.
'It shouldn't be spoiled for the rest of the school.'
Or this one
Mohammed Babar, whose five-year-old daughter Zahra is a pupil at the school, said: 'There is no cultural reason that I am aware of. If that's what they said then it would surprise me.'
http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-3004302/Parents-anger-school-bans-pupils-watching-eclipse-cultural-religious-reasons.html
Have a read in the links provided.
He probably just couldn't be arsed taking them outside.
Definitely not an anti-Muslim thread.
I started this thread in exasperation at the headteacher's decision. You would think that, given our understanding of the world, space and the universe has come a long way since the 1500's (for example), that a decision like this can still be made in 2015!
Well not according to the statement the head is said to have made. Whether that is accurate or not who knows. If he did say it he should be made to answer for such nonsense.