Proposal for Islamic Kindergarten Rejected in Switzerland
Islamic association Al Huda was behind the proposed kindergarten in the town of Volketswil in northern Switzerland, RT reported.
The kindergarten was planning to admit 15-25 children. Online registration began in the middle of last year.
The central educational components of the institutions were highlighted as learning Arabic and the teachings of the Quran, as well as bringing the Islamic community closer.
The association identified learning religious values as the “basis” for everything the children would encounter later in life.
Zurich authorities decided that approach did not correlate with the basic guidelines of Swiss compulsory education.
In its decision, the regional education department reminded that schools should make sure that students are not subject to ideological influences that radically contradict the compulsory education program.
It added that the kindergarten’s objectives did not represent "the pluralistic values of Swiss education and exposed children to one-sided views".
Al Huda said it will challenge the decision of the Government Council of the Canton of Zurich.
