NSS take on it
https://www.secularism.org.uk/opinion/2023/02/we-need-to-normalise-blasphemy
I would agree with a lot of this. But does the same "right to free expression" and "need to inculcate an understanding in all British citizens that life in tolerant, plural societies entails debate, disagreements and having your sensibilities offended from time to time. " extend to verbal objections to LGBTQ sensibilities and what is perceived as racism or sexism if you verbally express objections to certain behaviours? If not, why not?
I heard an Imam on LBC saying the police should never have been involved and this was blown out of proportion. Another Muslim also rang in to agree with the imam.
On the other hand, I am not sure if these particular community leaders are worried based on perceived Islamophobic incidents in society that these kind of incidents at school might escalate to more provocative behaviour that could lead to verbal bullying of Muslim pupils. It's not hard to figure out what buttons to press if you want to offend someone religious or gay or transgender or female or of a different race. Apparently, people who get upset at the thought of someone treating something they consider sacred with disrespect don't choose to feel upset. So not sure how to we go about teaching school children how to cope with feeling offended in our current world of safe spaces and trigger-warnings.
