Teachers warned on threats to Muslims

Schools

Schoolteachers have been urged to be on the lookout for racist attacks on Muslim children because of the suicide attacks in America.

The National Association of Schoolmasters Union of Women Teachers (NASUWT) is sending out advice to all its members on how to deal with the aftermath of the tragedy. "Members are advised to be especially vigilant in case there are racist or other attempts to attack or discredit Muslim children by attempting to lay the blame for terrorist acts on their faith," the union advises.

The advice goes on to say that schoolteachers should "build on the very helpful lead provided by the Prime Minister when he emphasised that the indiscriminate use of violence was not a feature of any religious faith".

Nigel de Gruchy, general secretary of the the NASUWT, added: "I was very glad that many representatives of the Muslim community have expressed their appreciation to the Prime Minister for his thoughtful words."

Last week the Islamia school in Brondesbury, north-west London, had to close after receiving threats. The school is intending to reopen today.