A Derby secondary school has bought prayer mats and found a special area to allow Muslim pupils to pray in comfort.
Michelle Strong, head teacher of Alvaston Moor Academy, on Bracken’s Lane, said she had decided to purchase two boxes of prayer mats.
Now pupils practising their Islamic faith are able to use the prayer mats in the library at lunch times, where there is a designated area for them. At times when the library is busy, a different room is found for pupils to pray in peace.
Michelle, who took up the post as head of the 850-pupil Alvaston Moor in September 2021, said: “We’ve bought these prayer mats because it is important to recognise every culture. We are an inclusive school. We need to recognise every single culture that our children have in this school. We celebrate Christmas, after all.
“Schools should be a safe place where everyone is free to be themselves and show their faith if they choose to.
“Our Muslim students are over the moon with their new prayer mats. I hope it has made them feel involved and valued, and that people are recognising their religion.”
Year 8 pupil Ruhaan Rizwan with one of the school’s prayer mats.
Ruhaan Rizwan, who is in year eight at Alvaston Moor, is one of the pupils who has been using the mats for lunchtime prayer.
He and fellow Muslim pupils use them for ten minutes four days a week, with a slightly longer session on Fridays, involving a speech being given before prayers.
Ruhaan paid tribute to Mrs Strong and school librarian Amber Fletcher for buying prayer mats and allowing space in the school library for Muslim pupils to use for prayer.
Head teacher Michelle Strong in the school’s library.
He said: “Mrs Strong and Miss Fletcher have both been so respectful. I feel very good about it all. I think this school is very respectful. I appreciate it so much. I can’t say how much I appreciate it.”
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