Children too scared to use "demonised" prayer phrase 'Allahu Akbar' in classroom, says Muslim parent from Leytonstone

Father-of-five Irfan Akthar, who is a member of Waltham Forest Councils for Mosques, said he tells his children to be careful about what they say in class.

The Minister for Security, MP Ben Wallace, visited Walthamstow Academy to discuss the counter-terrorism strategy, Prevent at Walthamstow Academy this morning.

He spoke to students and teachers who have been trained in how to act when they spot signs of extremism in pupils - but says nobody will be wrongly accused.

The policy has raised concerns from Muslims, who say their children are being looked upon with suspicion by teachers trained to spot signs of extremist views.

But Mr Wallace said more pupils who express far-right views than those who express Islamic extremist views are flagged up with authorities.

He said: “I think they don’t need to have those concerns because Prevent is safeguarding children from being exploited.

“The agencies are working together and helping students in schools if they are at risk of extremism, domestic violence, sexual exploitation or cyber bullying.

“Over 20 per cent of referrals are for far-right and that has got nothing to do with Islam.

“As a father-of-three children if my son said something about a person he spoke to on the internet I hope the teacher would spot this if me or my wife didn’t.

“The teachers and NHS workers are not spies, they have saved lots of young people from being exploited.”

But Mr Akhtar, whose children do not attend Walthamstow Academy, said the Prevent strategy is flawed.

The Leytonstone resident said: “I have concerns if my kids say something in the classroom like the common phrase ‘Allahu Akbar’.

“We say this at every prayer and it simply means ‘God is great’ but the way this is being portrayed in the media makes people think that if someone says it they want to start jihad.

“The words are being demonised.

“Kids say it automatically if they come from a Muslim household but it may be taken the wrong way in the classroom and I tell my children to be careful who they are saying things to.

“We talk about British values but Muslims cannot freely express their views and the Prevent policy is flawed and it is dangerous.”

The minister visited Walthamstow Academy in Billet Road, Walthamstow, to meet with students and teachers who have been trained in how to act when they spot signs of extremism in pupils.

Sophie Bolt, spokesman for Waltham Forest Stand Up To Racism, said the strategy targets Muslim students and religion has nothing to do with extremism.

She said: “The Prevent strategy is shutting down debate on very important issues in the classroom.

“We feel that the strategy is targeting the Muslim community and it is very concerning and I would say it is incredibly corrosive and it makes communities feel they cannot trust the schools.

“There is no evidence to suggest religion is a factor for people to be drawn into extremism.

“If people have a support community such as a mosque, church or temple they are less likely to be isolated and therefore less likely to be manipulated.”