The decision of the United Kingdom's Department of Education to prohibit a Salafi activist from spreading his hateful teachings was welcomed by the National Secular Society (NSS). This ruling notes that several harmful sermons were published. This decision prevents the former faith school proprietor from managing private or state school teachings.
The government has banned the salafi activist Abu Khadeejah (real name Waheed Alam) from managing independent schools and being a governor at a local authority-maintained school because of his views on women and homosexuality.https://t.co/y0Sdu5xAFd
— 5Pillars (@5Pillarsuk) June 22, 2022
As publicly declared by the Department of Education (DfE), self-ascribed Salafi, Abu Khadeejah (his most recognized name) was banned from officiating school teachings or engaging in conduct that is "aimed at undermining the fundamental value of individual liberty."
Abu Khadeejah, aka Waheed Alam (his real name), once managed the teachings at Islamic Redstone Educational Academy in Birmingham, UK.
Alam produced several sermons using an online platform and writings between 2015 & 2019 that reflected his aversion to the LGBTQ population and distaste for women's rights. His works, as the Department of Education, describes, "fail to show tolerance of, and respect for, the rights of others." The publishings included his views seeking to "restrict the activities of women" and "denigrate and demonize gay men."
Islam and Homosexuality: What happened in Sodom and Gomorrah? The Story of the Prophet Lot (Loot) and his Daughters. What is the approach of the Bible and the Qur’an?https://t.co/wC9fAuI197
— Abu Khadeejah SP (@AbuKhadeejahSP) September 8, 2018
Alam's views came to light during a 2019 Ofsted inspection. Redstone Educational Academy wanted separate boys' and girls' schools and attempted to register them, but a judgment in 2017 denounced this practice as lawless discrimination. Alam, as chair of directors at Redstone Educational Services Ltd, which owns and runs the academy, ignored that judgment.
The inspection cited the proposed girls' school as "unlikely to meet" the standards of independent schools as the proprietor "publicly extols views that should not be promoted by the owner of an independent school in England."
"These views were offensive, inappropriate, and contrary to the Equality Act 2010, the Independent Schools Standards and DfE statutory guidance," according to the Department of Education.
"It is, therefore, the view of the Secretary of State that Mr. Alam would be unable to comply with his safeguarding responsibilities and relevant legislation and guidance if he were to hold a school leadership role."
The Ofsted inspection report noted that Alam's beliefs are "well known, published widely, and pupils are more able to access them as the proprietor is known to them." Additionally, the report cited publications by Alam that referred to homosexuals as being equal to pedophiles.
In Alam's teachings are his comments that Muslim scholars "state that homosexuality comes about due to a corruption of the natural state which can be triggered by various events," including "school indoctrination of children from an early age that goes against nature, health, and wellbeing."
In a sermon from 2019, Alam advised that women must have permission from their husbands or fathers before leaving home. He adds that women who have adopted the ways of Western society are worse "even than the beasts."
A woman is married for many reasons but there is nothing better than having a pious wife with a beautiful character. This book is filled with advice for the husband and wife who seek a happy marriage: “Characteristics of a Righteous Wife.” Free download:https://t.co/lwc31eaUHP pic.twitter.com/h5QBfc6Tfd
— Abu Khadeejah SP (@AbuKhadeejahSP) December 20, 2021
The 2019 Ofsted inspection revealed that Redstone Educational Academy "has a history of failing to meet standards since 2014."
The 2020 Ofsted inspection found that the school failed again. Boys at the Redstone Educational Academy were "treated favorably," "have more privileges" than girls, and "enjoy school more than girls."
Alam has three months to appeal the decision that banned him.
The Salafi's views can be found on his website. He described the site as "an opportunity for me, in my limited capacity, to disseminate benefits connected to the Salafi belief, methodology, and rulings that have been narrated to us by our noble Scholars, past and present, in their books and classes."
Megan Manson, head of campaigns at the National Secular Society (NSS), stated, "It is shocking that the proprietor of a school in the UK could openly publish these hate-filled sermons that contradict the fundamental values schools are meant to teach: equality, liberty, and tolerance. It's not hard to see why this school has a substantial history of failure – particularly regarding discrimination against female pupils. Ofsted must continue to take action to protect the rights and welfare of the children at the school. If the school cannot prioritize pupils' educational needs above archaic and fundamentalist religious dogma, it must be closed down."
