School race doll branded 'return of the golliwog'

A DOLL being used in a primary school to promote racial harmony was compared to "the reintroduction of the golliwog" by a human-rights lawyer yesterday.

The life-size toy, named Asim, aims to teach children as young as four about the similarities and differences between white and Asian people. It has been introduced in five primary schools in Clackmannanshire.

But Aamer Anwar – who defended the terrorist student Mohammed Atif Siddique last year – said the doll was "an insult".

He said: "It is incredibly patronising, and it's like the reintroduction of golliwogs – just imagine the abuse kids will get.

"When I was at school, I would get called a golliwog, and I can imagine the next black kid who walks into that school will get called names like 'Asim the doll'. I'm sure the school and education authorities have the best intentions at heart but it seems rather bizarre that the way for children to relate with the problems experienced and the cultural differences is with a brown doll.

"Surely there are Asian children in central Scotland they can meet."

He went on: "Children can be incredibly cruel. When I was growing up in the Seventies, there were a number of issues that arose. For example, I would be the butt of jokes and abuse in relation to television shows such as the Black and White Minstrels and Bless This House."

Mr Anwar, who will represent Tommy Sheridan in his perjury trial, suggested visits to mosques and meeting Muslim children were better ways to teach youngsters about cultural differences. He said: "I am aware this education authority sends children to visit local mosques – surely that is a better way to go about it. Or why not send them to a primary school in Glasgow, for example, to meet other children, rather than putting a brown doll on your knee and acting as if it is a real person?"

But politicians and Muslim leaders last night disagreed with Mr Anwar.

Keith Brown, the Ochil MSP, who visited Alva Primary School on the day the doll was introduced, said: "I understand, but I take this as the personification of an issue that some local children might not come across otherwise."

Abid Rasool, the imam at Alloa Mosque, said: "This doll lets the children understand the different communities that they possibly couldn't get to understand themselves."

Carol Acutt, Alva Primary School's deputy headteacher, said the toy had provoked interest among her pupils. She said: "The children were very curious about Asim and their questions prompted discussions about how it feels to be treated differently and how we are all similar underneath the skin."

A spokeswoman for Clackmannanshire Council said: "The doll provides an effective, non-threatening and enjoyable way to raise equality issues and counter stereotypical and discriminatory thinking with young children.

"The dolls and their stories are powerful tools for exploring, uncovering and confronting bias.

"They help children to express their feelings and ideas, think critically, challenge unfair treatment and develop empathy with people who are different to themselves.

"They have been successfully used around the world, including Australia, South Africa and the US, to challenge the values, stereotypes and prejudices that underpin racism and other social inequalities."