Somali women demonstrated outside Harrow Civic Centre over an adoption they say is against their religious beliefs
This is Local London
Thursday, January 30, 2014
The women gathered outside Harrow Borough Council's offices in Station Road as the child put up for adoption was due to go to its new family today.
According to the group, the child was due to be adopted by a lesbian couple, which protesters say is against their religious beliefs.
They say the mother and child’s religious beliefs and ethnicity have been ignored by placing the child in the home of the couple.
Protesters say the toddler was taken into care by social services just over a year and a half ago due to the mother's health issues and was put up for adoption in last year.
They are calling for the council to delay the adoption to reconsider the move.
A Harrow Council spokesman said: “Adoption decisions are taken after lengthy and extremely thorough consideration of what is in the child’s best interests and we always strive to identify the best parents possible, and ensure a child is placed as early in life as possible. These are always difficult decisions.
“We have met Somali community representatives in this case and are happy to talk through their concerns.
“In addition the Somali community has offered to work with us on raising the profile of fostering and adoption in their community.”