AUTHORITIES will probe shock claims as a
Melbourne Islamic high school denies that girls
are being banned from running to protect their
virginity.
The Victorian Government says it will
investigate claims after a former teacher at
Truganina’s Al-Taqwa College alleged that
principal Omar Hallak stopped girls from
running in cross country events in 2013 and
2014, Fairfax Media reported.
He raised the alarm after complaints from girls
they were being discriminated against.
But the principal today issued a statement
denying the claims.
“Contrary to reports in the media, female
students at Al-Taqwa College participate in all
range of sporting activities such as track and
field (including running over a range of
distances, long jump, high jump, shot put,
discus, athletics), basketball, cricket, hockey,
tennis and netball.
Read more
“Other recreational activities on camps include
low rope climbing, bush walking, archery, golf,
volleyball and table tennis, as well as other
indoor and outdoor activities.
“Girls are encouraged to participate in all
activities, with participation subject to parental
consent.
“We do not believe that running excessively
may cause female students to lose their
virginity or that sporting injuries could render
them infertile.”
Victorian Education minister James Merlino
confirmed an investigation was underway and
said he was concerned by the allegations.
“As a father of two girls and the minister of
education, if these claims are true they would
be very, very concerning,” he said.
“It is appropriate for the VRQA (Victorian
Registrations and Qualifications Authority) to
investigate these matters.
“Let me be clear when the bell rings in the
morning male and female students must get
the same access to activities.”
Mr Merlino said his office recieved a complaint
letter this week and the government would not
take action until the investigation was wrapped
up.
“We must test the voracity of these claims and
then we will take action.”
Mr Merlino said the authority had the power to
force sanctions on Schools and funding if
investigations uncovered issues with meeting
governance standards.
Islamic Council of Victoria general manager
Nail Aykan said his first reaction would be to
clarify the accuracy of the allegation.
“But if it was true, it’s an absurd statement and
absurd thinking and has no place in our
society,” Mr Akyan told news.com.au .
“If anyone thinks as such then it is pure
stupidity.”
“We would ask him (the principal) to realise the
absurdity of such thinking and apologise and
learn from his mistake and that these types of
comments are not on.”
He said these types of attitudes did not have a
place in any school, public or private
Fairfax earlier reported the former teacher wrote
a letter this week that said: “The principal holds
beliefs that if females run excessively, they
may ‘lose their virginity’.”
The teacher alleged that Mr Hallak also
believed there was scientific evidence “that if
girls injure themselves, such as break their leg
while playing soccer, it could render them
infertile”.
The school’s website prominently plugs its
sporting facilities, which include 10 running
tracks and a multipurpose complex.
“We would like to encourage students to be
more active and involved in the sporting
activities,” the website says.
Girls at Al-Taqwa College also wrote to the
principal to express their concerns, Fairfax
reported.
“Just because we are girls doesn’t mean we
can’t participate in running events,” they wrote.
“It also doesn’t say girls can’t run in the hadith
(the sayings of Muhammad).”
Mr Hallak previously drew the ire of Mr Merlino
when he reportedly told some students that
Islamic State was a Western plot.
Mr Merlino said last month that Mr Hallak’s
comments were reckless and would confuse
youths.
“The best way to tackle radicalisation is
through education of young people,” Mr Merlino
said.
“The worst thing you can do is put reckless
and dangerous ideas into their heads.”
www.heraldsun.com.au/news/victoria/girls-banned-from-running-at-islamic-school-to-protect-virginity/story-fni0fit3-1227316462100

Nothing wey man no go read for this world.