Talking Lebanon, Kashmir and socks at a Muslim school

They had asked me to attend a fundraising, but I couldn’t. In any case, it wasn’t the moneybags I wanted to talk with but the students.

This morning found me at a Muslim girls’ secondary school in Kilburn. I took coffee with the all–women staff – an amazingly stimulating group from as far afield as Brazil, Pakistan, Algeria and Dorset.

I took my shoes off and ventured across the carpet, where the girls were sitting cross-legged, waiting for my assembly. Again, a very engaged group – bright and interested.

The 11-year-olds were particularly taken with my socks. I had an unusually vivid striped pair on (see above and below), having forgotten that I would be divested of my shoes. They seemed to me to have a very comprehensive world view, to be very open-minded, and to take their faith very much in their stride.

They were all hijabbed, incredibly tidy and very disciplined. They had a fabulous sense of humour, and I found the overall experience uplifting. I can’t say I’m a tremendous fan of faith schools, but if they exist anywhere, then from what I saw this school is as good as any of them.

So what did I talk about? Lebanon, Kashmir (I told them it was one of the most beautiful places I’d ever been), experiencing life in Sunni and Shia countries and the contrast between them, and the prospects for life under Obama.

They listened attentively, asked sensible questions, and laughed a lot. There were a hundred girls present and they hailed from 57 different countries.