Muslim schoolboys who refused to shake hands with female teachers lose appeal

 A 15-year-old Muslim schoolboy studying in Switzerland has been told he must agree to shaking hands with female teachers or face being fined and disciplined.

A 15-year-old Muslim schoolboy studying in Switzerland has been told he must agree to shaking hands with female teachers or face being fined and disciplined.

Amer Salhani lost his appeal after refusing to shake hands at the school in Therwil in April, an action he said went against his religious beliefs. He and his fellow pupils will now receive fines of up to 5,000CHF (£4,000) for refusing to comply.

Mr Salhani and his older brother were initially granted a temporary waiver while the local teaching authority discussed the issue, but education officials agreed “a teacher has the right to demand a handshake” from any of their pupils.