Illegal Islamic school closed in Italy

The closure of Islamic school was ordered by the Milan city council. This accident has highlighted the issues facing Italy in accommodating a growing Muslim immigrant population.

Bruno Simini, the council's education supervisor, said shutting down the school in via Quaranta, was a neccessary step, "as the school is illegal."

The school agreed last month to seek official recognition, and a more suitable site was assigned for the school. However the head of the school ignored the request.

Religious schools in Italy are required to follow the official programme established by the education ministry, which allows extra-activities' time to be dedicated to the culture and religion of the confessional community.

With several probes identifying Milan as an international clearing-house for Islamic extremists, the spotlight has in recent years fallen on the city's Muslim community. Right-wing politicians, in particular those of the xenophobic Northern League, have often pointed to the Via Quaranta school's illegal status as an example of the Islamic community's refusal to integrate and its pursuit of radicalism, the AKI reports.