Italian school stands behind decision to give Muslim students day off for holiday, despite criticism, threats

By Burak Bir

LONDON (AA) – Despite criticism and threats, a school in northern Italy is standing behind its decision to close for a day so its many Muslim students can mark the religious holiday Eid Al-Fitr, local media reported on Tuesday.

Earlier, the Iqbal Masih School in Pioltello, near Milan, drew criticism and even far-right threats after it decided to close to mark the Eid Al-Fitr holiday, as its student body is 40% Muslim.

The Lombardy regional school office last week said the decision was irregular and urged it to rethink the move, Italian news agency ANSA reported.

Many Italian politicians also criticized the move, including Deputy Prime Minister Matteo Salvini, who branded it "unacceptable."

The school on Tuesday said that it will stick with the decision and called for "respect for a choice that came spontaneously from within us, on the basis of reasons that we believe to be consistent with the right to education and with the Italian Constitution."