A West Yorkshire head teacher has banned books containing stories about pigs from the classroom in case they offend Muslim children.

. . .

Mrs Harris said in a statement: "Recently I have been aware of an occasion where young Muslim children in class were read stories about pigs.

"We try to be sensitive to the fact that for Muslims talk of pigs is offensive."

The head teacher sent a memo to staff saying fiction books containing stories about pigs should be removed from early years and key stage one classrooms.

Mrs Harris added: "The books remain in the school library and there is nothing to stop our younger children having stories such as 'The Three Little Pigs' in small groups."

UPDATE: The school's decision has come as a surprise to local Muslims, as Aziz forwards me:

Inayat Bunglawala, of the Muslim Council of Britain, said, "This is bizarre. There is nothing to stop children reading about pigs. The ban is simply on the consumption of pork and pig products." ... Trying not to be too harsh in the face of a rare sensitivity to Muslims, the Muslim Council of Britain asked the school district to quietly repeal the edict. Continued Bunglawala, "There can be a cultural misunderstanding and it is good for everyone to discuss it and clear it up."

Well, good. I certainly hope Mrs. Harris takes them up on that offer.