The Muslim News - Prison Officers use Qur’an as skis

Issue 208, Friday 25 August 2006 - 1 Sha'ban 1427

Prison Officers use Qur’an as skis

By Elham Asaad Buaras

Two prison officers based at scandal-hit Feltham Young Offenders’ Institution are under investigation over claims they strapped copies of the Qur’an to their feet to use as skis in what they called the Muslim Olympics.
The officers face the dismissal if the allegations are confirmed. The pair have been suspended on full pay after fellow officer reported them to the institution’s governor while the claims are investigated.
The alleged scandal comes just three weeks after a damning independent report into the racist murder of Zahid Mubarek at Feltham was published last month.
A public inquiry suggested recognition of “institutional religious intolerance”. It also identified 186 failings in the run-up to his killing by skinhead Robert Stewart, who beat him to death with a table-leg.
Feltham Governor, Andrew Cross, told The Muslim News, “I personally see all new staff at Feltham and make it absolutely clear that racism, sexism, homophobia or any other discriminatory behaviour will not be tolerated. I am currently looking into allegations that two prison officers behaved in a racist manner and I am awaiting the outcome of that investigation.”
A spokesman for the Prison Service confirmed that to The Muslim News, “Two officers were suspended from Feltham on June 15 and 16 respectively prison for alleged racist behaviour. An investigation ordered by the governor is ongoing.”
Chair of the National Council for the Welfare of Muslim Prisoners, Proffessor Dawud Noibi, told The Muslim News, “We have no comment to make as we will be meeting the Governor of Feltham to discuss the issue.”

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