Boy Banned From School For Moustache

(MYFOX NATIONAL) - A 14-year-old British boy has been banned from school because he has a moustache.

The Daily Mail reports that Akaash Iqbal was sent home by Manchester Academy in Manchester, UK, and told not to return until he shaves it. But his father, Asif Mahmood, argues that he shouldn't have to shave it.

"It's a nonsense. He's not shaving -- he's only 14 and if he starts now he'll have to do it for the rest of his life," Mahmood said. "I had a call telling me to have a razor on standby, shave Akaash when he got home and send him back."

Iqbal is Muslim, but isn't a Sikh, so he's not forbidden from shaving. But the teen doesn't want to start shaving because he says it will ruin his skin.

Iqbal said he was humiliated by school officials. "They've embarrassed me and they've embarrassed my family. I was walking down the corridor to registration and one of the teachers took me into a room. I was made to stay there for an hour. They then told me that my moustache was against the uniform rules and told me to go home and shave it."

Manchester Academy has a strict uniform policy that even staff have to comply with. A spokesman for Manchester Academy told the Daily Mail that it's a requirement that all students are clean-shaven. "The Academy has established rules on personal appearance and dress which students are expected to adhere to."

Iqubal and his father are to meet with school officials soon to discuss the matter.

Last summer another British school banned fake tans after its students began showing up at school with them. Carol Robinson, head of Baines School, said that fake tans do not "promote natural beauty and contentment with one's looks."