CALGARY -- A judge has upheld a human rights decision that found a Calgary private school discriminated against two Muslim students by not allowing them to pray.
The Alberta Human Rights Commission tribunal in 2015 found that Webber Academy unlawfully discriminated against the students and fined the school $26,000.
The boys, who were in Grades 9 and 10, testified that praying is mandatory according to their Sunni religious beliefs.
The school appealed the tribunal's decision to the Court of Queen's Bench, arguing the boy's parents were told Webber Academy was non-denominational and there was no space in the school for praying.
Justice Glen Poelman says the tribunal made no errors in its decision and the damages awarded were reasonable.
Poelman says Webber Academy welcomes young people from many faiths but drawing the line at private Sunni prayer rituals discriminated against the Muslim students.
