Excerpt:
Many stories during Ramadan have come to media attention - the serving of pork actually occurred some months ago, but the story broke in the last few days. Bigger issues of children fasting seem to be in the background.
When the dinner lady story broke in the Sun regarding Alison Waldock serving Gammon to a child of Muslim parents, consumption of which was prevented by beady eyed headmistress Caroline Peet, some questions occurred.
- Did the child choose the gammon?
- Or was the child offered the gammon?
- Did the dinner lady Alison Waldock have a history of breaking dietary conditions?
- At any point did the child know that gammon comes from a pig - thus making it non-halal?
- Should a child be allowed to chose to eat food which did not go against health needs (e.g. a fatal nut allergy) but went against the wishes of parents for their religious (Islam) or ethical reasons (vegetarian)?