Jihadi Du Jour: Muslim teacher defends her veil

A Muslim support teacher suspended for wearing a veil in class said it was never a problem for her pupils.

Headfield Church of England Junior School, in Dewsbury, West Yorkshire, said pupils found it hard to understand her during English language lessons.

But Aishah Azmi, 23, said: "They never complained." She added she was willing to take the veil off in class, but not in front of any male colleagues.

Ms Azmi was suspended pending the outcome of an employment tribunal, which is due to announce its decision within the next two weeks.

Kirklees Council said she was asked to take off her veil in class and refused, but the action was "nothing to do with religion", only a practical matter about making herself understood.

But Ms Azmi told the BBC: "It hasn't caused a problem between myself and the children. They've never complained and we had a brilliant relationship."

She added: "To say the students have a problem with communication, that's not right."

Disputing the school's version of events, she insisted she had always been willing to take off her veil in front of the children but would not in front of male colleagues.

She said she had taught in class without the veil when there were no males present.

The teaching assistant admitted she had not been wearing her veil when interviewed by a male member of school staff, but said she had not realised a man would be present.

She said: "The veil is really important to all Muslim women who choose to wear it. Our religion compels us to wear it because it's in the Koran."