Statement by TUV South Down Assembly candidate Councillor Henry Reilly:
“I was dismayed to learn that exam timetables are to be moved to accommodate Ramadan. Less and less time off is being given to Christians at Easter and Christmas. People who wish to observe Sunday as a special day for family and worship are being pressurised to come into work or simply have to pass up the opportunity for many jobs. In such circumstances this news is particularly galling.
“The vast majority of pupils are not Muslim. It is pure belligerence to have the observance of Ramadan imposed upon them in this way.
“Christians in Saudi Arabia are not allowed to even worship in public and have to confine their faith to their homes. Indeed, the conversion of a Muslim to Christianity is punishable by death unless they recant. Yet in the UK we are expecting the overwhelmingly non- Muslim majority to accommodate a small minority.
“No one is suggesting that Muslims should not be allowed to practise their religion in the UK – even though practising Christianity in a Muslim country is often impossible at least in public. However, I do object to Ramadan being imposed on our schools in this fashion.”