Male Muslim students excused from shaking hands with women at Sydney school

Male Muslim students at an Australian school have controversially been granted permission to refuse shaking hands with women, due to their faith.

Despite the practice being condemned by many senior Islamic figures, the Hurstville Boys Campus of Georges River College in Sydney has adopted the policy.

The students are instead allowed to put their hand on their heart as a greeting.

The NSW Education Department told The Australian the school had an ‘agreed protocol’ regarding handshaking and Muslim ?students.

It was developed following consultation between staff, stud?ents and parents.