Muslims Open Separate Schools in Response to Headscarf Ban

April 3, 2005

Source: Daily Times

http://www.dailytimes.com.pk/default.asp?page=story_31-3-2005_pg4_11

On April 3, 2005 the Daily Times reported, "France's ban on religious symbols in state schools, a move meant to check a feared spread of Islamist radicalism, is prompting some Muslims to pull out of the system and launch their own schools and tutoring services.

Representatives of new projects around the country turned up at France’s largest Muslim convention at the weekend, canvassing for money and support to educate girls who have dropped out or been expelled from school for insisting on wearing headscarves.

The projects are informal and probably number more than the dozen that ran stands at the annual fair of the Union of French Islamic Organisations (UOIF). Some are in the planning stage while most of those operating help only a handful of pupils."