According to theguardian, Australia, the principal of the largest Islamic school in Victoria State has issued a directive that there will be no cross country running, fearing the female students will lose their virginity. The ban from the principal came to public knowledge after a former teacher of the school informed the State regulatory body on education about this directive, triggering an investigation. The Islamic school is located in the suburbs of Truganina in Western Melbourne, Australia.
Victoria State Deputy Premier and Minister of Education James Merlino confirmed on Thursday, 23rd April, that his Ministry is investigating this allegation. According to Fairfax, a former teacher said the ban was implemented because of principal Omar Hallak beliefs that if females engage in excessive running, they may “lose their virginity”.
The teacher reportedly wrote to the state and federal education minister, saying;
“The principal believes that there is scientific evidence to indicate that if girls injure themselves, such as break their leg while playing soccer, it could render them infertile”.
Female students at the school also wrote a letter to Hallak following the ban. Fairfax reports that the students wrote:
“This letter is about the cross country that has been cancelled. Apparently it is because girls can’t run and that is really offensive to all the girls that were going to participate in the event.”
“As long as girls are wearing appropriate clothes, we can run. As a principal you should treat all subjects equally.”
theguardian, Australia also reported that ‘My School‘ website indicates it received more than A $11 million in commonwealth funding and $4.7 million from Victoria State government.
