Education Minister Giuseppe Valditara
is working on a measure that would stop schools from closing for
religious festivals if there is no agreement between the State
and the faith in question, according to sources.
The possible move is being considered amid a row over a school
near Milan that was closed on Wednesday to enable its Muslim
students, who make up around 40% of its pupils, to celebrate the
Eid-al-Fitr festival marking the end of Ramadan.
The decision by the Iqbal Masih Comprehensive Institute in
Pioltello caused an uproar, with the head teacher getting death
threats from right-wingers on the Web.
It was also criticized by Valditara and the Lombardy regional
school office unsuccessfully called for a rethink.
There was a small protest of around 10 parents who opposed the
closure outside the Iqbal Masih school on Wednesday.
"I don't think it's right to scrap another holiday that had been
planned from the beginning year to have this day off, when we
are all at work," said Samanta Sacchi, the mother of a pupil.
"I had to ask for a day off today and give up the one (I was
going to take) between the end of April and beginning of May
(between the Liberation Day and May Day holidays), when the rest
of my family will be at home".
Mohamed Pietro Danova, the president of the town's El Huda
Islamic Association, welcomed the closure.
"It was a joy for us because integration begins at school,"
Danova told ANSA.
"It is the place where things are cemented between the children.
"There are no distinctions for them, they all feel equal, all
citizens.
"It is better to look for opportunities to unite and strengthen
our relationship, for the growth and the development of our
country".
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