India: Assam state to close 700 of its Muslim schools
The State of Assam has decided to close its 700 madrassas, Islamic schools, by April 2020. AFP - NOAH SEELAM
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2 min
In India, the state of Assam led by the Hindu BJP party, decided to close all its Islamic schools, the madrassas, by April, on the grounds that they would be unnecessary and not secular.
For the opposition, this is yet another blow to the Muslim minorities in the country.
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With our correspondent at Dispur,
Côme Bastin
Assam has 30 million inhabitants of which at least 34% are Muslims.
However, it will soon be impossible for these faithful to study in the 700
public
madrassas
there.
Led by the Hindu nationalist party BJP, this state will transform its Islamic schools into non-denominational schools by April 1.
He then planned to tackle
private
madrassas
, which will have to prove that they do not provide too religious education.
“
Madrassas do not prepare for earthly concerns.
We need doctors and police officers from the Muslim community more than imams
”, explained Biswa Sarma, Minister of Education of Assam.
He also highlighted the non-secular character of these public schools.
The main opposition party AIUDF in Assam denounced a political decision, arguing that the state was also funding universities providing Hindu education.
This law follows those of other Indian states led by the BJP against
Love Jihad
, the supposed forced conversions of Hindu women to Islam.
For the opposition, it is a question of maintaining a
climate of Islamophobia
.
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