British schools are now receiving advice to steer clear of art, music and dance that may offend Islamic norms. In Labour-governed municipalities, warnings are issued, among other things, against drawings of Jesus and other prophets.

British schools are now being advised to adapt teaching to Islamic sensitivities. The guidance warns against allowing children to draw Jesus, against figurative art that may be perceived as “idolatry”, and against music, dance and drama that may conflict with Islamic norms.

The document is titled “Sharing the Journey” and has been sent to schools in several municipalities in northern England, including Wakefield and Kirklees. Kirklees states in a public document that the guidance has been redistributed to all schools in the borough.

The guidance concerns “strengthening diversity and community” in a society that has become more “multicultural”. Between the lines, it is clear that the majority culture is expected to accommodate special demands from minorities.

In the section on art it states that some Muslims consider three-dimensional depictions of humans to be idolatry. Schools are therefore encouraged to exercise caution when asking pupils to reproduce images of Jesus, the Prophet Muhammad, or other figures regarded as prophets in Islam. It is also noted that some Muslim pupils do not wish to draw the human body.

Leonardo da Vinci fares poorly under the new diversity rules of Labour-run municipalities.

Music teaching is also addressed. The document notes that music in Islamic tradition has been limited to the human voice and non-melodic percussion instruments, and that schools should listen to objections if songs or activities conflict with pupils’ religious beliefs.

Dance and drama are also problematised. The guidance points to parental reservations about physical contact between boys and girls, and about performances that might encourage immorality or sexual feelings. In the section on physical education and swimming, provision is made for individual lessons, gender segregation and greater consideration for religious requirements concerning modesty.

That Kirklees in particular is among the areas that have promoted or distributed such advice is striking. It was in Kirklees that the Batley Grammar School case erupted in 2021, when a teacher was suspended and later forced into hiding after showing a caricature of Muhammad in class. More than three years later, the teacher was still living in hiding with his family, according to both the Guardian and a freedom-of-information response from West Yorkshire Police.

Wakefield also has its own prehistory. In 2023 four pupils at Kettlethorpe High School were suspended after a copy of the Qur’an sustained minor damage. The police concluded that no crime had been committed but recorded the incident as a hate episode. A boy diagnosed with autism received death threats, while a minor suspected in the threats case received only a warning from the police.

The case comes at the same time as the Labour government has introduced a new advisory definition of “anti-Muslim hostility”. The government maintains that lawful criticism of religion will remain protected. Critics nevertheless warn that the definition could be used to stifle legitimate criticism of Islam and Islamism and function as a form of blasphemy protection.