The nursery which sparked fury by banning pork and gummy bears in a bid not to offend two Muslim pupils has u-turned after police were called in to protect the school from reprisals.
A police spokesman confirmed that a police car has been located outside Konfuzius and Rolando-Toro-Kita nurseries in the city of Leipzig in the German federal state of Saxony, in case of any retaliation.
Fury had erupted among parents after 300 children at two German nurseries were banned from eating gummy bear sweets – which contain gelatine made from pork – because two Muslim girls are attending.
However, nursery bosses have made a u-turn on the decision and said the products will be back on the menu and the matter will be discussed at the next parents evening.
In a message on Tuesday they said: “Dear parents, we have seen that our decision to stop serving pork and pork based products in our nursery has caused a lot of reaction amongst the public. For this reason we will not be making a decision on this now and will discuss it with parents at the next parents evening.”
The news comes after parents were initially sent a letter which read: “Out of respect for a changing world, from 15th July we will only be serving food that is completely free of pork.”
Parents were also asked not to let their children bring any sweets or other products containing gelatine to the school.
Police confirmed they are in contact with school bosses.
According to German daily Bild, 300 children attend the nurseries and the change in dietary requirements is due to two Muslim girls, aged two and three, who also attend the establishment.
The decision sparked fury with many netizens expressing their outrage online.
One wrote: “I thought we were living in a world all together and everything is good. Why should the kids not be allowed their gummy bears.”
Another said: “This nursery boss should be fired. For my kid’s birthday, I would send pork sandwiches.”
Another wrote: “Unbelievable, soon Christmas will be banned.”
Sawsan Chebil a German politician from Berlin, herself of Muslim Palestinian descent, wrote on social media: “Pork and gummy bears are banned, winter markets instead of Christmas markets, light fests instead of St Marting Light Fest, Seasonal Greetings instead of Christmas Wishes.
“Dear all… it is a nice thought, but please leave this. Do not do it for the Muslims. This will not heal their souls.”
Not everyone was negative, with one user writing: “Why is everyone so up in arms, all parents pay the same for the food, so they should all get the same food.”
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Story By: Kathryn Quinn, Sub-Editor: Joseph Golder, Agency: Central European News
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