Muslim driver stops on a main road to pray with pupils on board

Halting the vehicle on the carriageway, he stepped off the coach, washed
his feet and began to kneel on a prayer mat.

The 50 schoolchildren and teachers he was driving were left on board for
ten minutes even though they were only a mile away from their destination in
Southsea, Hampshire, Dailymail stated.

Muslim leaders yesterday slammed his actions, saying he should have
waited – while parents said he had put the children’s lives at risk.

Claire Powell, 36, whose daughter Heidi, nine, was on board, said: ‘I
was livid when I heard. 

“He just stops on a busy road without any warning, get out, wash his
feet, pulls out a mat and start to pray. 

“There were people swerving to avoid the coach and beeping. He was putting
children’s lives at risk.”

The children, from Meon Junior School, were returning to Southsea
following a trip to London.

Adele Richards spoke of her worry for her daughter Ruby, nine. 

The 41-year-old said: “All it would have taken was for a big lorry to
come flying round the corner and hit them – that would have been very serious,
there could have been fatalities.”

Parent Dawn Barker, 30, added: “He could have waited literally two
minutes to get to the school. You shouldn’t go and endanger anybody’s lives
like this.”

And Holly Sharpe, 31, went further, saying she would not let her
children go on future school trips alone. 

Muslim community activist Sumel Chowdhury said prayers – which are
traditionally carried out five times a day – are “flexible”. “If you miss one
you can do it one or two hours later,” he said.

Coach Company Vision Travel apologised and said the driver was given a
warning.