Interior Minister Muntaka Mubarak has commended Christian mission schools across the country for what he describes as a strong culture of tolerance and accommodation towards students of diverse religious backgrounds.
Appearing on JoyNews’ Newsfile on Saturday, November 29, the Minister stated that a significant majority of Christian-based institutions have demonstrated consistent openness in their treatment of non-Christian students.
“Majority of the Christian schools are very accommodating,” he said. “I can say with authority that over 80% of those Christian-based schools are very accommodating.”
His comments come amid renewed national debate over religious rights and school policies, following recent tensions over discriminatory religious practices at Wesley Girls’ Senior High School (SHS).
While praising Christian institutions for their inclusive approach, Mr Mubarak warned that a few Muslim schools were beginning to adopt practices that mirrored some of the restrictive behaviours previously criticised in certain Christian schools.
He explained that in some cases, Muslim schools were attempting to justify mandatory religious practices on the grounds that their institutions were Islamic.
“What you are complaining about was wrong somewhere; we will not allow you to do it here,” he cautioned. “Others are also beginning to say that this is a Muslim school, so you have to perform ablution and have to be in the mosque.”
Mr Mubarak also addressed the issue of fasting during Ramadan, describing how some schools attempted to impose the practical consequences of the fast on all students, including non-Muslims.
While recognising fasting as one of the Five Pillars of Islam, he stressed that such practices must never be enforced on those who do not subscribe to the faith.
“During Ramadan, we won’t cook, we won’t provide lunch. We only provide the dawn prayer meal,” he said. “If you want, you can keep the dawn prayer food as a Christian and eat it in the afternoon. That is intolerance, whether it is coming from a Muslim faith school or a Christian one.”
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