During the meeting, Abbott, the authority’s cabinet member for adult social care, said he was “worried” about “seeing children in primary schools being taught to pray the Muslim way”.
He added: “When I went to school, we went into assembly, we sang hymns and were taught the Christian way.
“It bothers me if the government is allowing this to be taught in school; does it not start the radicalisation of these children?
“Will we see a further increase in crimes, etc, as these children grow up?”
He said he “personally did not agree with it” and that he was “expressing the concerns of his constituents”.
Miah said: “I’m 51 years old and remember praying in high school, and here I am.
“A lot of my friends did as well. And I don’t think there’s anything that’s ever happened.
“I think yes, if people are going to go bad, they go bad, but you can’t tar a whole religion based on your prejudices.”
Abbott, who represents the Stoney Stanton and Croft division, said he was “not being prejudiced” or “tarring anyone” and was stating a concern “from his residents”.