25 May 2016

Swiss school board rules Muslim boys must shake female teachers' hands

A school board in northern Switzerland said on Wednesday that two Muslim boys who have refused to shake hands with their female teachers for religious reasons can be required to do so, ruling that their parents could face fines of up to 5,000 Swiss francs (about £3,430) if they don't.

A public school in the northeastern Therwil municipality had sought the regional school board's advice after accepting the boys' belief that they should only willingly touch the women whom they will eventually marry.

The school had temporarily exempted the teens from shaking hands with teachers. [The Telegraph] Read more