At the beginning of March 2014, the BBC revealed the existence of a letter sent by an Islamist in Birmingham UK to another person in Bradford UK in which the first one suggested to identify schools in predominantly Muslim areas of Bradford that could realistically be taken over. The Islamist letter itself calls the move “Operation Trojan Horse” and states that its goal is to “ensure these schools are run on Islamic principles.”
The summary that follows is based on four articles addressing various aspects of the problem:
Phil Mackie (BBC – March 7, 2014): ‘Islamic takeover plot’ in Birmingham schools investigated
BBC (April 15, 2014): Trojan Horse probe headed by ex-Met chief Peter Clarke
Graeme Paton (The Telegraph – April 20, 2014): Ofsted chief to take charge of probe into Islamic school plot
Stewart Whittingham (Express – April 21, 2014): Islamic school militants ‘confiscated Easter eggs’
The Islamist letter adds that the takeover operation has already been successfully accomplished in Birmingham’s public schools and that it could easily be repeated elsewhere: ”Operation ‘Trojan Horse’ has been very carefully thought through and is tried and tested within Birmingham, implementing it in Bradford will not be difficult for you.”
Since “Operation Trojan Horse” came to public attention, a number of school staff have come forward to make various allegations. Recent articles have provided the following examples of implementation of Islamic principles in Birmingham’s public schools in the wake of “Operation Trojan Horse”:
Coordinating efforts to install governors and replacing staff – including head teachers – who were unsympathetic to Muslim doctrines. (BBC – April 15)
Giving more importance to religious studies, as well as girls and boys being taught separately in some classes. (BBC – March 7)
Bullying non-Muslim staff. (BBC – April 15)
Older boys, acting as “morality squads,” going round harassing girls who do not wear veils. (Express – April 21)
“Morality squads” confiscating chocolate and toys from younger children who wanted to celebrate Easter: “My daughter tried to bring in an Easter egg for a friend and one boy grabbed it and smashed it against a wall.” (Express – April 21)
Ban on all talk of Christmas and other non-Muslim festivals by “morality squads.” The teachers just turn a blind eye to it. (Express – April 21)
The Telegraph and the BBC mention that Sir Michael Wilshaw, the head of Ofsted (Office for Standards in Education, Children’s Services and Skills) is personally involved in the investigation and that he will be assisted by Peter Clarke, the former national head of counter terrorism in Britain.
Sir Michael Wilshaw is to visit the city this week to finalise a high-level probe into the plot to “Islamise” secular state schools, it emerged. He will finalise reports into 18 schools following claims pressure has been placed on head teachers to illegally segregate pupils by gender and marginalise non-Muslims. The disclosure came as the Telegraph revealed on Sunday that at least six of the schools at the centre of the alleged “Trojan Horse” plot are likely to be rated “inadequate” by Ofsted after a series of snap investigations over the past few weeks. It could lead to the schools’ head teachers and governors being removed. (The Telegraph – April 20)
The governor of one of the school apparently taken over in Birmingham (Highfield), Tahir Alam, is alleged to be at the centre of the Trojan Horse plot, but has denied the allegations. Alam claims to be facing a “witch hunt” deeply rooted in Islamophobia and based on “all sorts of false allegations.” Mr Alam is an activist for the Muslim Council of Britain, an important Muslim organization in the UK associated with the Pakistani Jamaat-e-Islami and the Muslim Brotherhood.
