High Court Upholds Denial of Interim Order in Arabiyya School Niqab Ban Case

The High Court has affirmed the decision of the Civil Court to reject an interim order aimed at suspending the implementation of the Education Ministry’s directive, which bans female students at Arabiyya School from wearing niqabs with their uniforms.

In its ruling against the request for an interim order lodged by parents, the Civil Court maintained that the claimant lacked the legal standing to seek such an order. 

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The court’s decision also pointed out that the submitted documents failed to identify the specific students affected by the directive or specify their current grade at Arabiyya School.

The verdict emphasised that, contrary to the plaintiff’s claims, there was no evidence to suggest that students wearing niqabs had been deprived of their education, as confirmed by testimonies from both the plaintiff and the state.

In line with the reasoning provided by the Civil Court, the High Court noted the absence of specific information regarding the identity of the plaintiff’s children and their respective grade levels at Arabiyya School. Furthermore, the letters sent to the parents by the Ministry did not contain the plaintiff’s name.

As a result, the High Court, consisting of Judges Huzaifa Mohamed, Hassan Shafeeu, and Mohamed Salim, upheld the Civil Court’s decision to deny the issuance of an interim order.