The Australian Federation of Islamic Councils (AFIC) expresses its profound dismay and outrage over the discriminatory treatment of a Sydney student who was banned from his Year 12 formal for wearing a Palestinian scarf, a keffiyeh. This action by the school authorities not only suppresses the student’s right to express his cultural identity but also reflects a broader insensitivity towards the symbolic importance of the keffiyeh as a marker of Palestinian heritage.
Dr. Rateb Jneid, President of AFIC, stated, “The treatment of this young student is not only deeply troubling but also indicative of a larger issue within our educational institutions. At a time when governments at all levels profess a commitment to social cohesion, actions such as this directly contradict and undermine those very principles. It is unconscionable that signs of Palestinian culture and identity are being suppressed here in Australia. We call for an immediate reversal of this decision and demand that the school issue an apology to the student.”
The keffiyeh, far from being a mere accessory, is a powerful symbol of Palestinian culture and struggle, akin to other cultural garments that are celebrated and embraced in multicultural Australia. Penalizing a student for wearing such an item blatantly contradicts the values of diversity and inclusion that Australia stands for.
AFIC strongly condemns this act of cultural discrimination and has planned to write to the NSW Education Minister to express our profound concern and seek assurances that such incidents will not recur. We urge the school to allow the student to participate fully in all end-of-year activities, reaffirming their commitment to a learning environment that respects and honours all cultural identities.
Dr. Jneid added, “Our educational institutions should be places where all cultures are respected and where students feel safe to express their identities. This is about more than one student; this is about affirming our collective commitment to fostering an inclusive society.”
AFIC stands ready to support the student and his family during this challenging time and will continue to advocate for the rights of all individuals to express their cultural and religious identities without fear of discrimination or reprisal.
AFIC, established in 1964, stands as the Peak Muslim Organisation in Australia, with 170 members including 9 State and Territory Councils. It has a rich history of pioneering numerous community services and actively advocating for the rights and representation of the Muslim community.
Authorised:
Dr Rateb Jneid, President