Muslim teaching assistant loses job after veil row

A MUSLIM teaching assistant who was suspended for refusing to remove her veil in the classroom has been sacked.

Aishah Azmi was suspended on full pay earlier this year after staff at Headfield Church of England Junior School in Dewsbury, West Yorkshire, said pupils found it hard to understand her.

The news that the 24-year-old has been sacked was welcomed by the Muslim Labour MP for the area who said “the interests, well-being and education” of the children come first.

Her case sparked a national debate on multiculturalism in Britain.

Last month, an employment tribunal dismissed three of Ms Azmi’s claims of discrimination and harassment but found that she was victimised by the school and awarded her £1,000 (€1475) for “injury to feelings”.

Ms Azmi’s lawyer Nick Whittingham, of the Kirklees Law Centre, said he could not comment on the news she had been sacked, but added he was aware the local education authority was involved in disciplinary proceedings against her.

Labour MP Shahid Malik, who represents Ms Azmi’s home town said: “I’m obviously disappointed that a compromise could not be reached. But while I would absolutely defend her right to wear the veil in society, it’s very clear that her wearing the veil in the classroom setting inhibits her ability to support children.

“I’ve spoken to the headteacher. I believe that the disciplinary committee met and felt that she could no longer continue.”

The MP urged Ms Azmi to drop her appeal, said the case was not about religion, but was about the education of the children at the school.

Ms Azmi said she was willing to remove her veil in front of children — but not when male colleagues were present.

Last month, Prime Minister Tony Blair said the veil row was part of a necessary debate about the way the Muslim community integrates into British society and said the veil was a “mark of separation”.