Muslim student allegedly forced to watch offensive cartoon of Muhammad at Melbourne school

A Melbourne school has been accused of forcing a Muslim student to watch a cartoon depicting Muhammad in class, prompting an investigation by the state government.

Depictions of the prophet are strictly prohibited in Islam, and the student reportedly expressed her concern to the teacher but was dismissed.

The father has demanded the school apologise and provide an explanation for why the cartoon was necessary.

A spokesperson for the Victorian department of education told the Guardian that a review of the incident was under way.

Guardian Australian understands the material was not part of the required curriculum teaching in Victorian government schools, and a warning was allegedly issued to the students before the content was shown.

The students were also told they were free to remove themselves from the class if they wished.

The council said it had met with the Department of Education and the school, which promised to no longer use the material again.

Earlier this year, the Islamophobia in Australia showed that 82% of in-person victims of Islamophobic incidents were women, of which 85% wore the hijab. Almost three quarters of the perpetrators were male.

The school was contacted for comment, but referred inquiries to the Department of Education.