Christian girl, 5, is removed from Muslim foster carers and reunited with her family
A Muslim judge ruled that children need 'culturally matched placements' as she ordered Tower Hamlets council in East London to conduct an urgent investigation into the case
THE white Christian girl who was placed in the care of Muslim foster parents who sparked outrage by allegedly taking her crucifix away was returned to her family yesterday.
The five-year-old was reunited with her gran after a Muslim judge insisted children needed “culturally matched placements”.
reports Judge Khatun Sapnara ruled it was in the child’s best interests to live with a family member who will meet her needs “in terms of ethnicity, culture and religion”.
She also ordered Tower Hamlets council in East London to conduct an urgent investigation into the case, which she called “very concerning” and a matter of legitimate public interest.
After the hearing at East London family court, the girl’s relatives were said to be hugely relieved to have her back with them.
Yesterday it was revealed she begged not to go back to the home because “they don’t speak English” according local authority reports seen by The Times.
She had been taken from her family and placed in the care of two Muslim homes in London for six months by Tower Hamlets council.
The girl is said to have told her mother that “Christmas and Easter are stupid” and that “European women are stupid and alcoholic”.
In the reports, a social services worker described the girl as being “very distressed”.
It is understood she was not allowed to eat her favourite food, carbonara, because it contained bacon.
Her mother is said to be horrified by the alien culture her daughter has been placed in.
Councils must consider a child’s “religious persuasion, racial origin and cultural and linguistic background” when it comes to foster care.
A friend of the girl’s mother said: “This is a five-year-old white girl.
“She’s trapped in a world where everything feels foreign and unfamiliar. That’s really scary for a young child.”
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A Tower Hamlets council spokesman said: “We are unable to comment on individual cases or those that are subject to court proceedings.
“Tower Hamlets Council’s fostering service provides a loving and stable home for hundreds of children every year, and in every case, we give absolute consideration to our children’s background and to their cultural identity.
“All our foster carers receive training and support from the council to ensure they are fully qualified to meet the needs of the children in their care."
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