A Melbourne school’s decision to ask Muslim students to walk out on the national anthem has sparked national outrage. Many have defended the Australian Muslims, who, according to them, are no less patriotic.

At Cranbourne Carlisle Primary School, around 40 Muslim students were asked to leave during the assembly when the national anthem was about to be sung. Principal Cheryl Irving asked the Shi’a students to leave as they, observing the Islamic month of Muharram, should not be forced to be a part of any “joyous event.”

However, not many people are impressed by Irving’s decision. Treasurer Scott Morrison said those who had encouraged the students to leave during the anthem should get the “muppet of the year” award.

“I know people of Muslim faith (who) would be just as offended about this as you or I would,” Morrison told 3AW. “I just shook my head and went ‘that’s just doing nobody any favours’.”

Everyone, especially immigrants, living in Australia should “celebrate and uphold” freedoms and basic rights in the country instead of taking those for granted, according to The Age.

Muslim educators in the country have discouraged the decision to ask students during the national anthem. They have insisted that students at NSW Islamic schools take pride in singing “Advance Australia Fair.”

Shamsher Ali, the acting executive principal of Malek Fahd Islamic School, said Muslim students do not back out of national celebrations. “We take part in or organise Anzac Day and Harmony Day celebrations,” The Daily Telegraph quoted Ali as saying.

Maffaz Alsafi, the principal of the Australian International Academy at Strathfield, has said singing the national anthem is a usual practice for all students from kindergarten to Year 12. “All students are required to stand and sing, this is a well-known part of the school life,” she said.

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