France: First Muslim high school

The first French Muslim High School is seen as a big step, but this is what the Jewish community has been doing for many years. Since it is very hard to be religiously Jewish in French public schools, the Jewish community has opened up its own schools. This is also the reason why they have not been as affected by the hijab ban.

Btw, does France support homeschooling?

The first batch to graduate from France's sole Muslim secondary school has scored impressive final results, with hijab-clad students topping the chart.

"Success rate reached more than 75 percent, thank God," Ammar Al-Asfar, the principal of Ibn Rushd school, told IslamOnline.net on Sunday, July 8.

Of the 20 alumni, fifteen male and female students have succeeded, he said, adding that a majority of 12 hijab-donned students had scored excellent remarks.

The first batch of graduates tossed their graduation hats into the air on Friday, July 7.
In July of 2003, the French government approved the establishment of Ibn Rushd school in Lille, where Muslims make up 25 percent of the one million population.

Seventy students are enrolled in the school, which came as a source of relief for Muslim girls, who had to leave their state-run school because of their hijab.

Asfar said that the anti-hijab law cut both ways as it badly harmed French Muslims, but prompted them to establish their own schools like other minorities.

The controversial law forced many French Muslim girls to enroll in schools in neighboring European countries or at private schools at home.

Belgium, Switzerland, Turkey and Britain are among the countries that were sought by a growing number of hijab-clad students.

Others have opted for charge-free tutorials provided by French Muslims.

A number of private schools have also opened special sections for hijab-clad students shunned by state schools.

The second Muslim secondary school is expected to open next academic year in Lyon, central France.

Source: Islam Online (English)

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