Australia: Principal of Queensland Christian school denies Muslim women a teaching placement at his college for wearing hijab

A Christian school in Queensland has turned away two Muslim women who arrived at the school for a teaching placement wearing hijabs.

The student teachers were allocated positions to start their work placement at Redlands College, as they are in their final year of studying teaching at university.

However the school's principal Mark Bensley didn't allow to the women to go ahead with their placement, and justified his decision in the college newsletter on Tuesday, claiming he acted inside his duty of care, according to the Courier Mail.

'I have a duty of care to ensure that those teaching at the College are actively supporting the Christian principles, practices and beliefs of the College,' he wrote.

He continued by writing that he viewed the wearing of the hijab to be in direct opposition to the principles which the college upholds.

Mr Bensley said he respected the two women's right to wear the hijab but felt it was inappropriate at his school, and had them transferred to another school to complete their placement.

In a statement to the publication, Redlands College said that they were accepting and loving of all people from all cultures and religions.

'We are not aware that they [student teachers] had any concerns, and it is our understanding that all parties came to a mutual agreement for the benefit of all,' the school said.

Redlands also claimed that they would not hide their Christian values and were there to provide for the families seeking a Christian education.

A spokesperson for the school said that the decision had nothing to do with intolerance and they condemn any form of that behavior.

According to Section 25 of the Anti-Discrimination Act 1991, employers are allowed to enforce a 'genuine occupational requirement that workers act in a way that is consistent with the religious beliefs of the school'.

However, the move has upset many, including the Muslim community with the Islamic College of Brisbane principal saying the decision was a matter of great concern.

Reverend Anneli Sinnko told the Courier Mail that he also disagreed with it, and that the actions are a direct contradiction of the foundations of Christianity.



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