UK Council Staff Told Virgin Mary Wore Hijab in Anti-Islamophobia Training

Council staff in North Yorkshire were reportedly told during an anti-Islamophobia training session that the Virgin Mary wore a hijab. The example was presented as part of a taxpayer-funded program called Project Unity, designed to address 'myths and misinformation about Muslims.'

Abbas Najib, CEO of the Better Communities Bradford charity and a former police officer, led the workshop. He explained that head coverings are a shared tradition across various faiths, using the depiction of Mary with a head covering in Christian art as an example. A slide in the presentation featured several images of the Virgin Mary with a head covering, alongside a quote from former Italian Interior Minister Roberto Maroni, who in 2012 opposed a hijab ban by stating, 'If the Virgin Mary appears wearing a veil on all her pictures, how can you ask me to sign on a hijab ban law?'

Najib confirmed that the slide was part of his presentation and defended the comments, stating, 'Hijab is an Arabic word meaning a covering, and in everyday use it simply means a woman's head covering.' He added, 'Mary is depicted wearing one in Christian art across the centuries, and headscarves were common among women in Britain within living memory. The point of the slide is that covering the head is a shared tradition across faiths and cultures, not something foreign or unique to Islam.'

Project Unity has been delivered to over 2,500 individuals across West and North Yorkshire, aiming to help participants understand the communities they serve by finding common ground. The training also addressed political narratives and misconceptions about Islam. Notably, earlier in the week, it was reported that police officers attending a similar Project Unity lecture were asked to consider the potential 'harm' caused by politician Nigel Farage's comments on young Muslims integrating into British society.

During that session, a clip of Farage expressing concerns about 'a growing number of young people in this country who do not subscribe to British values' and identifying them as Muslims was shown. Najib reportedly asked officers to consider if Farage's statements, if directed at Jewish people, would constitute a racially aggravated offense, suggesting he would face severe consequences. Najib then prompted officers to contemplate whether Farage's remarks could incite crimes against Muslims, referencing a video of a Muslim bus driver being racially abused. He encouraged officers to draw their own conclusions about the potential influence of such words.

Better Communities Bradford has received significant funding, including £490,000 from the National Lottery Communities Fund, with £35,000 allocated to Project Unity. The program aims to reduce anti-Muslim hostility and foster trust between communities by encouraging participants to apply the same standards when considering remarks made about any minority group.

North Yorkshire Council has been contacted for comment regarding the training. The presentation aimed to assert that Islamic values are compatible with British society, highlighting respect for democracy, the rule of law, tolerance, and individual liberty.