An imam and chaplain has stepped down from his position at Blackburn College following the cancellation of a planned 'Palestine Awareness Day' without explanation.

Imam Saleem Seedat, who had served in the role for 13 years, was responsible for leading Friday prayers on campus and offering pastoral support to students.

Blackburn College provides multi-faith facilities at three locations, welcoming individuals of all faiths and backgrounds.

The college cited Department for Education (DfE) guidance as the reason for its decision, stating it could not accommodate "political or exclusionary events." It emphasized its commitment to fostering a diverse and inclusive environment.

The event was originally scheduled for last month. However, the Department for Education later clarified that the decision was made solely by the college leadership, without direct involvement from DfE officials.

In a detailed statement shared on Wednesday evening, Mr. Seedat explained his resignation, stating he felt "unable" to continue in his role.

He revealed that shortly before the Christmas break, he was informed the proposal for Palestine Awareness Day had been rejected.

According to Mr. Seedat, the event had been planned by University Centre students and was set to feature a well-known Palestinian speaker who regularly speaks at national events, sharing personal and collective experiences from Gaza.

Despite prior discussions and the college’s initial request for his support in organizing the event, the management suddenly decided to cancel it.

Mr. Seedat escalated the issue to the Lancashire Council of Mosques (LCM).

He also questioned why he was previously asked to train staff on addressing issues related to the conflict as part of their professional development, only for that guidance to be disregarded when making the decision to cancel the event.

He further highlighted that he had been appointed as Chaplain through the LCM to ensure representation of the local community and compliance with college policies and legal frameworks. Over his tenure, he had consistently challenged inequalities affecting underrepresented groups.

Mr. Seedat claimed that expressions of "Muslimness or perceived Muslimness" were being suppressed and said he had no viable alternative but to resign in light of the situation.

Blackburn College, aware of his statement and the concerns raised, reaffirmed its commitment to equity, diversity, and inclusion.

A college spokesperson stated:

"At Blackburn College, individuals from different backgrounds and perspectives are central to our community. Our values guide us, and we believe diversity and inclusivity are key to transforming students' lives through education.

"In accordance with Department for Education guidance and our own Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion Policy, we cannot host political or exclusionary events.

"We collaborate with Blackburn with Darwen Interfaith Forum and various community groups to ensure a safe and welcoming environment for all."

In its latest Ofsted inspection, Blackburn College received a ‘good’ rating, with particular praise for its leadership in fostering a "cohesive and harmonious culture." It was rated ‘outstanding’ in areas such as student behavior, personal development, and education programs for young people and adults.

The Department for Education reiterated that the decision to cancel the event was made by college leadership, without direct intervention from its officials, and stated that the college itself should address any questions regarding the matter.