Scandal at Blackburn's Al Islah School (with exclusive pictures) Print E-mail
Saturday, 13 June 2009
question_mark.jpgA woman has been forced to quit her job after a campaign by parents at Al-Islah Muslim girls school in Blackburn. Shifa Patel was targeted after photos of her with short hair and wearing trousers and a shirt were seen on facebook leading parents to believe she was a man.

The secretary even underwent a medical examination to prove she was female and quell the rumours. But when a group of parents gathered at the school gates attempting to force their way in and demanding she be sacked, the secretary decided to hand in her resignation and the head also decided to quit in protest.

"I have irrefutable medical evidence that I'm a woman. The people who have done this to me have hurt me so badly."

The private school has nearly 200 students and occupies the the first floor of a red-brick mosque in Blackburn.

It was established in 1995 by parents who were concerned about the state school environment and the effect it might have on their children.

The vast majority of pupils are girls, but some boys are admitted at primary level. All students must adhere to a strict uniform code.

Sergeant John Rigby, of Lancashire Constabulary's minority team, said: "Police were called to the school after reports that people were trying to damage school doors.

"When we arrived a group of 10 to 15 people were outside the school.

"This is an entirely internal school matter and police were simply there to calm the situation down."

Nizamuddin Makda, 57, was one of the school’s founder members and its headteacher until January last year. He employed Shifa Patel as an administrator in 2003.

He said the photographs showed her with short hair in “manly clothes behaving like a man”.

Mr Makda said that, although she is a female, some parents were not sure of her gender after seeing the pictures. They marched on the school on Monday.
 
Source: Daily Mail

EDIT: We have anonymously received copies of the pictures which we are publishing. We find it strange that the media failed to publish these images without which the Muslims are being portrayed simply as ignorant backward savages, which is pretty much what the right wing media want us to believe.
 
EDIT 2: Pictures of Shifa Patel drinking and smoking have been removed following legal advice.



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Readers have left 57 comments.
Mick:

i predict a progrom
(1) 2009-06-13 23:59:50
Non:

10-15 people caused this to happen.

It looks like a personal vendeta against the women.
(2) 2009-06-14 00:32:52
sense:

This lady did not deserve to be hounded out
(3) 2009-06-14 01:04:36
Solaiman:

Well there is a surprise, things not as simple as the daily fail will have us believe.

These pictures clearly show this woman (and i think it is a woman) drinking alcohol, and at a nightclub.
(4) 2009-06-14 01:36:47
Revolting:

So MPAC now supports the (clear) homophobic hounding of a school employee by publishing pictures of this woman - how much lower into the gutter are you going to sink MPAC?
(5) 2009-06-14 07:24:24
anti zionist:

a woman/man like this should not be at a muslim school.
(6) 2009-06-14 08:29:19
Hamid Jones:

So MPAC now supports the (clear) homophobic hounding of a school employee by publishing pictures of this woman - how much lower into the gutter are you going to sink MPAC?
— Revolting


I didn't know mpac had taken a stand on the issue, however the issue will be she is drinking in these pixs so on that issue she shouldn't have a job at a Muslim school.
(7) 2009-06-14 09:03:26
markuk:

I didnt know drinking alcohol was against the law?
(8) 2009-06-14 09:07:14
Shame:

Shame on you, MPAC, for regurgitating these photographs. Here is what the Lancashire Telegraph states about this case:

'Ms Patel wears a hijab and full Jhaba (full length robe). The emails circulated among parents contained private photographs of Ms Patel with short hair and wearing a shirt and trousers.

It is believed the campaign was started after someone copied the pictures from a page on social networking site Facebook.

Ms Patel said: “The people who have done this have hurt me so badly. I will remember them at the moment before I die and and I never forgive those who did this to me.”'

The acting head teacher had this to say:

'Ms Fatima said: “It is very disconcerting that this has all happened during children’s exam time.

“When some parents approached me I said to them I will take the Quran in my hand and swear to tell the truth.

“But they were more concerned with getting a GP’s certificate for Shifa.

“What does that say about some people?

“This incident has affected me and Shifa and it will take a lot to get her confidence back.

“We must add that some parents have come and supported us.” '

I was unaware that MPAC operated with the sewer rat mentality of the lowest, vilest red-top press in Britain.

Actually, it is MPAC which should be ashamed for joining in with this base, discriminatory hounding of this young woman.


(9) 2009-06-14 09:15:08
Mick:

is it Inuat Bungalowna?
(10) 2009-06-14 09:36:03
Mick:

It had been reported she was having a lot of time off work due to man flue
(11) 2009-06-14 09:38:19
Non:

Is this a women???

I think there is more to this story than meets the eye.

Also, the original headline was misleading.
(12) 2009-06-14 10:36:37
DavidFT:

Ah, I see. The newspaper gave the impression that the parents wanted this person sacked because they believed she was a man. In fact, they wanted her sacked because they believe she is a lesbian.

That's ok then. I was thinking for a minute they were ignorant and backward.
(13) 2009-06-14 11:07:21
Mujaahid:

Well done MPAC for exposing the lies of the media. Parents have every right to insist on appropriate role models for their children. A beer drinking, nightclub dancing man/woman does not fit the bill.
(14) 2009-06-14 13:09:52
m:

british muslims,,the gift that keeps on giving..(to the daily mail et al,,that is)
(15) 2009-06-14 13:22:24
abdul razzaq:

drinking alcohol/cross dressing and teaching in a religious school does not mix well.....
(16) 2009-06-14 13:31:07
?:

I didn't know mpac had taken a stand on the issue, however the issue will be she is drinking in these pixs so on that issue she shouldn't have a job at a Muslim school.

Really - show me where it is written in a contract that this invasion of personal life would be acceptable under employment law.

So you think it is fine to hound people out of work because you don't like their personal life-style choices?

Bigot.
(17) 2009-06-14 13:40:49
Goodbye and don't forget to swi:

The only reason I can find for MPAC publicising this egregious piece of nastiness about someone else's private life is that MPAC hope that by doing so that it will get noticed. In effect, the marketing strategy of a spoiled three year old.

This can hardly come as any surprise given that MPAC now appears to be inhabited only by about six regulars on its forum and possibly the same number on its main page (not including its various loyal followers publishing under a variety of sockpuppets).

This might have something to do with the sheer unpleasantness and lack of judgement that passes for editorial line at MPAC. It might have something to do with the utter stupidity of many of MPAC's posts, the bigotry and dullard inanity of many of its contributions.

Incidentally, when are MPAC going to stop referring to themselves as the "biggest" Muslim group - as this is simply on the basis of the hits to their site. By that standard, the biggest political group in the UK is the BNP.

When MPAC eventually disappear, the sparkling halaal mango juice is on me.
(18) 2009-06-14 17:30:30
Unknown:

I don't think she should be working at a muslim school. How can you teacher the kids about good islamic behaviour when you have people like this.

When you got this women here wanting to get drunk every weekend and acting as tom boy .

Im gobsmacked

Telegraph states about this case:

'Ms Patel wears a hijab and full Jhaba (full length robe). The emails circulated among parents contained private photographs of Ms Patel with short hair and wearing a shirt and trousers

Lol Thats like someone wearing a mosque hat and holding a can of larger . I don't belive that line she wears islamic clothing.

She should be fired on basis of bad behaviour. Many Non Muslim companies have fired their employees because of facebook(bad) so no harm in firing hear.

Remember Once your Private pictures are on the Internet they will stay on their for FOREVER!!!!!

(19) 2009-06-14 19:56:23
For "Forward-looking" Homophil:

The newspaper gave the impression that the parents wanted this person sacked because they believed she was a man.
— DavidFT


The Zionist media and newspapers always lie especially the ones owned by Pervert Murdoch. They even misrepresented the girls school in Birmingham as one where girls are forced to wear veils although that is not true either.



In fact, they wanted her sacked because they believe she is a lesbian.
— DavidFT


Yes she possibly is a Lesbian working with underage and minor girls.


I was thinking for a minute they were ignorant and backward.
— DavidFT


Were you? Muslim daughters ( and sons) have as much right to be free of homosexual abuse as those of the Republican Party. Besides if Muslims are back-ward and homophobic why do you not encourage her to apply where your daughter studies ? Sounds fair?
(20) 2009-06-14 20:31:04
@shame:

Shame on you, MPAC, for regurgitating these photographs. Here is what the Lancashire Telegraph states about this case:

'Ms Patel wears a hijab and full Jhaba (full length robe). The emails circulated among parents contained private photographs of Ms Patel with short hair and wearing a shirt and trousers.

It is believed the campaign was started after someone copied the pictures from a page on social networking site Facebook.

Ms Patel said: “The people who have done this have hurt me so badly. I will remember them at the moment before I die and and I never forgive those who did this to me.”'

The acting head teacher had this to say:

'Ms Fatima said: “It is very disconcerting that this has all happened during children’s exam time.

“When some parents approached me I said to them I will take the Quran in my hand and swear to tell the truth.

“But they were more concerned with getting a GP’s certificate for Shifa.

“What does that say about some people?

“This incident has affected me and Shifa and it will take a lot to get her confidence back.

“We must add that some parents have come and supported us.” '

I was unaware that MPAC operated with the sewer rat mentality of the lowest, vilest red-top press in Britain.

Actually, it is MPAC which should be ashamed for joining in with this base, discriminatory hounding of this young woman.


— Shame


You are a bit thick arent you. 'Miss' Patel looks like a guy and I wouldnt be surprised if 'she' was one. It is not just her physical features that alludes to her/him being a guy but her/his whole dress sense and behaviour and company.

The Daily Mail seems to be once again guilty of inaccurate reporting when it comes to Muslims. This woman/man is by no means religious and if she wore hijaab/jalbaab then why is she/he out in public without hijaab and drinking. I seriously doubt this person is Muslim.
(21) 2009-06-14 21:12:59
mo khan:

mpac - u are a pathtic bunch
you have disgraced urself with publishing these photos
as a muslim orgnisation u must be aware not to disclose people past - u must know the hadith
i hope u all go to hell
(22) 2009-06-14 22:09:06
Adam:

There is no difference between MPAC and the Sun
(23) 2009-06-14 22:11:30
Mohsin D:

sign of day of judgement, woman looking dressing acting like a man, however, if this woman repented and started wearing jilbaab/hijaab, mpac should not have published these pics, if she leads a double life,hound her out!

(24) 2009-06-14 22:12:05
Abu Yunus:

A clear lesbian if you ask me!
(25) 2009-06-14 22:14:19
Ming:

mpac - u are a pathtic bunch
you have disgraced urself with publishing these photos
as a muslim orgnisation u must be aware not to disclose people past - u must know the hadith
i hope u all go to hell
— mo khan
youve also disgraced yourself by cursing groups to hell because of your ignorance and dislike of mere pictures...dont u know any hadith. clearly you are a lout who doesnt respect islam.

if its a girls only muslim school.....then parents have a right to know if a theacher is man/woman and especially lesbian theachers in a muslim school? are u kidding boot her out.

whats the point of an islamic school?

why would miss patel be so stupid as to teach in an environment where islam is prominent? islam is not in favour of cross dressing, drinking, homosexuality.

you muslims need to get off the highhorse, by being offended by mere pictures that are a public issue as the daily mail are being islamaphobic again
mpac - u are a pathtic bunch
you have disgraced urself with publishing these photos
as a muslim orgnisation u must be aware not to disclose people past - u must know the hadith
i hope u all go to hell
— mo khan
(26) 2009-06-15 00:00:46
Ming:

The only reason I can find for MPAC publicising this egregious piece of nastiness about someone else's private life is that MPAC hope that by doing so that it will get noticed. In effect, the marketing strategy of a spoiled three year old.

This can hardly come as any surprise given that MPAC now appears to be inhabited only by about six regulars on its forum and possibly the same number on its main page (not including its various loyal followers publishing under a variety of sockpuppets).

This might have something to do with the sheer unpleasantness and lack of judgement that passes for editorial line at MPAC. It might have something to do with the utter stupidity of many of MPAC's posts, the bigotry and dullard inanity of many of its contributions.

Incidentally, when are MPAC going to stop referring to themselves as the "biggest" Muslim group - as this is simply on the basis of the hits to their site. By that standard, the biggest political group in the UK is the BNP.

When MPAC eventually disappear, the sparkling halaal mango juice is on me.
— Goodbye and don't forget to swi
theres alot of intolerance there. LOL do you have a life? mango juice is already halal, stop fantasizing about champagne.

(27) 2009-06-15 00:09:12
Anon:

She should be sacked as this double personality makes her an unreliable person and we're talking about a person who works in a school here. People who live a double life will always be harder to catch if they do something illegal. Also is the persona who comes to work the real or the fake one? - it does definitely matter.
(28) 2009-06-15 00:27:49
well done MPAC:

congrats!!! thats the most minging male i have ever seen!! who the bird next to her/him? what she needs is a proper man send her over to me i dont live far from the mosque just n chester street and ill show you what a man is if you get what i mean!!!!
(29) 2009-06-15 02:43:38
?:

mpac, can you find out why the headteacher quit in protest?
(30) 2009-06-15 10:02:08
Shan:

If the lady chose to work in a faith based school and then acted totally against the ethos of the school, then it is no surprise she was forced to resign.
When you join firms today and you act against their image or you become a liability to their image because of your actions you are sacked or forced to resign that is a matter of fact.
(31) 2009-06-15 10:22:38
Galaxy:

The only reason I can find for MPAC publicising this egregious piece of nastiness about someone else's private life is that MPAC hope that by doing so that it will get noticed. In effect, the marketing strategy of a spoiled three year old.

This can hardly come as any surprise given that MPAC now appears to be inhabited only by about six regulars on its forum and possibly the same number on its main page (not including its various loyal followers publishing under a variety of sockpuppets).

This might have something to do with the sheer unpleasantness and lack of judgement that passes for editorial line at MPAC. It might have something to do with the utter stupidity of many of MPAC's posts, the bigotry and dullard inanity of many of its contributions.

Incidentally, when are MPAC going to stop referring to themselves as the "biggest" Muslim group - as this is simply on the basis of the hits to their site. By that standard, the biggest political group in the UK is the BNP.

When MPAC eventually disappear, the sparkling halaal mango juice is on me.
— Goodbye and don't forget to swi


You sound like such a BNP supporter. The media is once again guilty of inaccurate reporting when it comes to Muslims and mpacuk have exposed it and all you can whinge about is private life. These pics were seen on facebook and nothings private on there u thick brain.

The media make it sound like the parents were unjustified in thinking this person was a man yet having seen these pics I say they were completely justified and the persons unislamic drinking and clubbing behaviour just adds to the bill. I for one am going to write to the press complaints commission.
(32) 2009-06-15 10:53:42
WTF?:

"You are a bit thick arent you. 'Miss' Patel looks like a guy and I wouldnt be surprised if 'she' was one. It is not just her physical features that alludes to her/him being a guy but her/his whole dress sense and behaviour and company."

Are you completely bonkers, you bigot?
(33) 2009-06-15 11:45:00
scholar:

This shows that faith schools are wrong, whether Muslim, Jewish or Christian. All education should be secular. Religion is a private matter of personal belief and should not be foisted on people in the classroom. Faith schools lead to division in our society.
(34) 2009-06-15 13:03:48
A Human Being:

Homosexuals and Lesbians, Hermaphrodites, Transgender people and people of one gender who have unfortunate resemblenses to the other gender and other people are BORN, not MADE. They cannot help how they were formed in the womb.

Ignorant bigots on the otherhand, are MADE, not born. Who makes them ? Their religious leaders perhaps ?

Leave this person to live their life in peace. You should be ashamed.

Persecution, persecution, persecution is all MPAC ever whine.

By publishing these photos and that editorial, YOU are persecuting an innocent human being.

(35) 2009-06-15 15:13:40
Ming:

nobody is saying they are not human, my shympaties lie with people born as such...but then pick a gender, its not on living a double life as a theacher of kids. common sense really.
Homosexuals and Lesbians, Hermaphrodites, Transgender people and people of one gender who have unfortunate resemblenses to the other gender and other people are BORN, not MADE. They cannot help how they were formed in the womb.

Ignorant bigots on the otherhand, are MADE, not born. Who makes them ? Their religious leaders perhaps ?

Leave this person to live their life in peace. You should be ashamed.

Persecution, persecution, persecution is all MPAC ever whine.

By publishing these photos and that editorial, YOU are persecuting an innocent human being.

— A Human Being
(36) 2009-06-15 16:01:11
Ming:

religion isnt a secret thing, and you are being somewhat anti semetic, islamaphobic and anti christian. for starters in a school religion is not foisted on anyone....unless its a particular faith school and the parents wanted them there.

deal with the problem rather then bleat on about secular schools, that censors expression of belief as if it is the biggest problem this earth.
This shows that faith schools are wrong, whether Muslim, Jewish or Christian. All education should be secular. Religion is a private matter of personal belief and should not be foisted on people in the classroom. Faith schools lead to division in our society.
— scholar
(37) 2009-06-15 16:06:47
sum one:

I personally believe that this person is definitely a male.Why drink when you work in an islamic school? It's very clear that it this peson is a male.
As I live around this area, I my self went to the protest.All the photos prove that it is a male and is definitely NOT a muslim!
He should not be working in an islamic school when he himself is not a muslim and cannot abide by the Islamic teachings law.
(38) 2009-06-15 16:52:16
oneeyedwilly:

Thats a man not a woman, how do you know the medical evidence was dome on him and a REAL woman who went in to get checked?
(39) 2009-06-15 17:30:33
markuk:

religion isnt a secret thing, and you are being somewhat anti semetic, islamaphobic and anti christian. for starters in a school religion is not foisted on anyone....unless its a particular faith school and the parents wanted them there.

deal with the problem rather then bleat on about secular schools, that censors expression of belief as if it is the biggest problem this earth.
This shows that faith schools are wrong, whether Muslim, Jewish or Christian. All education should be secular. Religion is a private matter of personal belief and should not be foisted on people in the classroom. Faith schools lead to division in our society.
— Ming
— scholar


Any child that is told they are this religion and this is what school you will go to because this is what you are going to believe in is child abuse.
belief in islam is one of the biggest problems on earth. Just look at how this teachers life is being affected because of other people belief.
School is for teaching you how to think not what to think.
You want it both ways. When a muslim is employed by a none muslim employer they claim they cant do this and that because of their religion. Even though the copmpany might not believe in any religion. Why dont all you muslims call for them to be sacked?




(40) 2009-06-15 18:24:18
Ahmed:

1. She cross-dresses, acts as a man.

2. Has no hijab or wears Jilbabs/Abayah that we can see.

3. She drinks alcohol and frequents nightclubs

All of which means that she is NOT suitable to work in a Muslim school. The parents should not have hounded her out because of her gender scandal, but because she is not fit to be teacher in a Muslim school. It could have been handled better.
(41) 2009-06-15 18:44:43
Asif:

If you can't understand why people have a problem with a smoking, drinking person teaching in an Islamic all girls school then you must be really stupid.
(42) 2009-06-15 19:34:29
Solaiman:

If you can't understand why people have a problem with a smoking, drinking person teaching in an Islamic all girls school then you must be really stupid.
— Asif


I think that comment says it all. The story here is the drinking and the free mixing, yet what do the press make the story about? Sexuality!
(43) 2009-06-15 19:43:44
Nadeem:

Isn`t there a hadith about covering the sins of another? I am really saddened that you would think it was acceptable to hold a private individual up for public abuse like this. No matter what she is doing in the photos it is completely wrong to publish them for all to see. We demand compassion for Muslims but we don`t show it ourselves! Shame on you.
(44) 2009-06-15 19:55:22
Abdullah:

This secretary was clearly a bad influence on the children.

There is no place in Islam for these debauched gender-bending people who drink the alcohol like the kuffar. Our young children should not be exposed to the influence of homosexual particularly if they are living double life.
(45) 2009-06-15 21:27:49
Trevor:

Daily Mail's lies exposed again!
(46) 2009-06-15 21:40:49
Charles Dexter Ward:

If you don't want to be seen as "ignorant backward savages", then why behave like this? You talk about the "right wing media", but what is but right wing religious bigotry. More power to this woman and her right to be herself. I hope the school gets hauled down to an Employment Tribunal. Shame on you!
(47) 2009-06-15 22:27:55
Lbnaz:

1. If a person doesn't smoke, drink, or have any kind of sex at work, or during working hours then there are no grounds whatsoever to fire this woman.

2. Or could it be that at the core, there is a taken for granted, or only whispered in 'safe company' assumption (which statistically speaking although apparently unknown to some is a blatant falsehood and a libel) which seems to be operating at the back of many of the minds of the concerned protesting parents and their supporters which holds that if a person looks like, or dresses like a member of the opposite gender even if never dressing this way on school time or property, he or she is more likely to be a pedophile than a heterosexual and therefore an tangible risk to children?

3. If there is such an assumption, educate yourself not to libel others. If there is no such assumption but you still object to a person in this situation remaining employed, see point 1.





(48) 2009-06-16 00:18:39
Benson Hedges:

If you can't understand why people have a problem with a smoking, drinking person teaching in an Islamic all girls school then you must be really stupid.
— Asif


When exactly did smoking become ' haram ' ?

Does the teacher drink alcohol at work, in class in front of the students ? I think not !

Lots of teachers at all sorts of schools have very different private and family lives to the responsible persona they must project to children in their professional live.

As long as they do a professional job and they don't bring their personal life into the workplace, what they do outside work in private is nobody elses business.
(49) 2009-06-16 01:30:14
the one:

live and let live. if she wanted to become a he let her be that! yes, ok she ethically she really shouldnt be teaching in the school but that doesnt really make her to be a bad person? I think this story is over exposed.
(50) 2009-06-16 06:26:43
Succour:

Of course MPAC have absolutely no axe to grind in or about Blackburn, now have they?
(51) 2009-06-16 10:40:02
Lip service:

This secretary was clearly a bad influence on the children.

There is no place in Islam for these debauched gender-bending people who drink the alcohol like the kuffar. Our young children should not be exposed to the influence of homosexual particularly if they are living double life.
— Abdullah


Get to ****, you bigoted twat.
(52) 2009-06-16 14:17:55
Anon member:

This person is a security risk at the school.

It is right and proper that she was dismissed.

This wasn't just a difference in behaviour between her two personas, but also a difference in IDENTITY, and that's not acceptable for someone who wishes to work in a place for children.
(53) 2009-06-16 16:07:31
Honest.:

I have to say I am not one to defend Islam honestly. I guess I am as bigotted as the next white anglo saxon, but whan I saw the pictures I could fully understand why the parents wouldnt like it.

As a mother I am not sure I would be happy about this "woman". I have to be honest. I thought she was a he.

Not just that but the night clubbing, smoking and drinking (pints) too. I can understand the parents complaints.
(54) 2009-06-16 16:53:56
Abdullah:

So where are the pictures?
(55) 2009-06-18 00:56:40
MDM:

Whatever there is a case or not the best course of action is to protect a Muslim's honour...
(56) 2009-06-18 07:52:34
Mazin:

Personally, I couldn't care less whether this woman is a homosexual or not. I don't care what the Daily Mail says or the parents of the kids. This woman is clearly a hypocrite and leads a double life. She clearly mislead her employer. And for that reason alone, she should have been sacked.

It would be nice if we lived in a society that didn't judge people based on their looks, however, we do, and will remain so for a long time. In any job that involves regular contact with the public, and especially minors, image and reputation are important. If you bring that into disrepute, by being hypocritical, you should be sacked. Whether you're a New Look salesperson, politician, air hostess, teacher or purveyor of fast food.
(57) 2009-06-18 14:20:50
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