publish time

26/05/2016

author name Arab Times

publish time

26/05/2016

GENEVA, May 25, (AFP): Religious belief is no excuse for refusing to shake a teacher’s hand, Swiss regional authorities ruled Wednesday, reversing one school’s controversial decision to grant exemptions for Muslim pupils wary of touching the opposite sex.

Parents or guardians of pupils who refuse to shake a teacher’s hand in the northern Swiss canton of Basel-Country could now face fines of up to 5,000 Swiss francs ($5,000; 4,500 euros), regional education authorities ruled. “A teacher has the right to demand a handshake,” they said in a statement.